Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)

What is Dracunculiasis?

A parasitic disease caused by Dracunculus medinensis.

How is Dracunculiasis transmitted?

By drinking stagnant water contaminated with infected water fleas.

What is the incubation period for Dracunculiasis?

10

What are the primary symptoms of Dracunculiasis?

A painful blister, often on the lower leg, from which a mature female worm emerges.

How many human cases of Dracunculiasis were reported in 2024 (provisional)?

13 cases.

Which countries remain endemic for Dracunculiasis?

Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan.

What populations are most affected by Dracunculiasis?

Remote, underserved communities relying on stagnant water sources.

How many cases were reported worldwide in the mid

1980s?

What milestone did reported cases drop to in 2007?

Fewer than 10,000 cases.

What prevention methods are used against Dracunculiasis?

Surveillance and mapping

Safe water access (e.g., wells, pipe filters)

Vector control (using Abate®)

Community education

Case containment

Reporting and rewards.

How is a country certified as free of Dracunculiasis?

By maintaining zero reported cases (human or animal) for 3 consecutive years, followed by field investigations and risk assessments.

How long must countries continue surveillance after zero cases are reported?

3 years of active surveillance.

What are key challenges to eradicating Dracunculiasis?

Remote or conflict

Animal infections in dogs, cats, and baboons

Cross

border transmission risks.

How many animal infections were reported in 2024 (provisional)?

661 cases reported across Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan.

What role does WHO play in Dracunculiasis eradication?

Advocates for eradication

Provides technical guidance

Oversees cross

border surveillance

Certifies countries as free of the disease.

**Dracunculiasis - A parasitic disease on the verge of eradication, with 13 human cases in 2024 (provisional) and 14 in 2023.**

**Transmission - Mostly through drinking stagnant water contaminated by parasite-infected water fleas.**

**Incubation Period - Takes 10–14 months for the transmission cycle to complete, after which a mature female worm emerges from the body.**

**Endemic Regions - Dracunculiasis was endemic in 20 countries in the mid-1980s, including 17 in Africa and 3 in Asia.**

**Current Status - Since 2015, annual human cases have remained in double digits, dropping from 22 in 2015 to 13 in 2024 (provisional).**

**Scope of the Problem - The disease affected 3.5 million people in the mid-1980s. By 2014, cases dropped to 126.**

**Infected Countries - Five countries remain endemic: Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan.**

**Transmission Cycle - Water fleas ingest larvae, which then infect humans or animals when consumed through contaminated water.**

**Symptoms - A painful blister develops on the lower leg, from which a worm emerges, typically after 10-14 months.**

**Eradication Efforts - The WHO has worked to eradicate the disease since 1981, with a notable partnership with The Carter Center starting in 1986.**

**Prevention Strategies - Include surveillance, safe water access, vector control, community education, and case containment.**

**Certification for Eradication - Countries must maintain zero cases and infections for at least three years to be certified as free of the disease.**

**Ongoing Surveillance - WHO recommends continuous surveillance for at least three years after transmission interruption to prevent recurrence.**

**Challenges - Final case clusters, security issues, and animal transmission complicate eradication efforts, particularly in conflict zones.**

**Animal Infections - Infected animals, especially dogs, present a serious challenge in countries like Angola, Chad, and Mali.**

**WHO Response - WHO oversees eradication efforts, provides technical guidance, and certifies countries as free of the disease.**

**Dracunculiasis

A parasitic disease on the verge of eradication, with 13 human cases in 2024 (provisional) and 14 in 2023.**

**Transmission

Mostly through drinking stagnant water contaminated by parasite

**Incubation Period

Takes 10–14 months for the transmission cycle to complete, after which a mature female worm emerges from the body.**

**Endemic Regions

Dracunculiasis was endemic in 20 countries in the mid

**Current Status

Since 2015, annual human cases have remained in double digits, dropping from 22 in 2015 to 13 in 2024 (provisional).**

**Scope of the Problem

The disease affected 3.5 million people in the mid

**Infected Countries

Five countries remain endemic: Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan.**

**Transmission Cycle

Water fleas ingest larvae, which then infect humans or animals when consumed through contaminated water.**

**Symptoms

A painful blister develops on the lower leg, from which a worm emerges, typically after 10

**Eradication Efforts

The WHO has worked to eradicate the disease since 1981, with a notable partnership with The Carter Center starting in 1986.**

**Prevention Strategies

Include surveillance, safe water access, vector control, community education, and case containment.**

**Certification for Eradication

Countries must maintain zero cases and infections for at least three years to be certified as free of the disease.**

**Ongoing Surveillance

WHO recommends continuous surveillance for at least three years after transmission interruption to prevent recurrence.**

**Challenges

Final case clusters, security issues, and animal transmission complicate eradication efforts, particularly in conflict zones.**

**Animal Infections

Infected animals, especially dogs, present a serious challenge in countries like Angola, Chad, and Mali.**

**WHO Response

WHO oversees eradication efforts, provides technical guidance, and certifies countries as free of the disease.**