Guinea Worm Disease (GWD)

Guinea Worm Disease has seen a historic decline from over 3.5 million cases in the 1980s to just six cases reported in 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

About Guinea Worm Disease (GWD):

• GWD, also known as dracunculiasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm).
• GWD is spread by drinking water that contains immature forms of the worm, called larvae.
• It mainly affects people in rural, isolated communities who drink water from stagnant surface water sources, such as ponds.
  • Additionally, infections in animals, notably in dogs, have been documented.
• More than 90% of Guinea worm infections manifest in the legs and feet.
• GWD is rarely fatal, but infected people can become non-functional for weeks or months.
• Permanent damage can occur in cases of joint infections, which can cause the joints to lock and deform.
• If a worm breaks during removal, the remaining part of the worm will start to degrade inside the body and this can lead to intense inflammation, including cellulitis.
• There is no vaccine or cure available for the disease.

Infection cycle:

• Individuals whose bodies the worm has entered first experience a painful blister, usually on a lower limb.
• When seeking relief, they may immerse the affected area in water, which prompts the worm to emerge and release hundreds of thousands of larvae, potentially contaminating communal water sources and perpetuating the infection cycle.

Symptoms:

• Manifestation includes painful skin lesions as the adult worm, sometimes up to a meter long, emerges.
• Intense pain, swelling, and secondary bacterial infections are common symptoms.

Eradication in India:

• India eliminated Guinea worm disease in the late 1990s.
• Achieved through surveillance, water safety interventions, and community education.
• Certification received from WHO in 2000.

Ref: Source