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Source-This post on Guinea worm disease has been created based on the article “Race to global eradication of Guinea worm disease nears finish line” published in “The Hindu” on 23 February 2024.
Why in the news?
WHO’s weekly epidemiological report has highlighted that only six cases were identified of Guinea worm disease in 2023.
Guinea worm disease
| Aspect | Details |
| Description | It is an infectious ‘Neglected tropical disease’ (NTD). |
| Agent | Parasite “Dracunculus Medinensis” which is a fiery serpent. |
| Is it contagious? | It is basically a human disease. However, it can also spread to animals and humans by eating certain aquatic animals that might carry Guinea worm larvae, like fish or frogs. |
| Transmission | Drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae |
| Affected regions | It affects poor communities in remote parts of Africa that do not have safe water to drink. |
| Symptoms | The disease usually has no initial symptoms. However, after 1 year of disease, there may be a painful burning feeling as a blister forms, usually on the legs. The blister bursts as the worm then comes out of the skin over a few weeks. |
| Prevention | It can be prevented by filtering drinking water through a piece of fine-mesh cloth, chlorination, or boiling. |
| Treatment | 1) There is no drug & vaccine to prevent Guinea worm infection. 2) Anti-inflammatory medicine can help reduce pain and swelling. 3) Antibiotic ointment can help prevent infections. |
| Current status of disease | 1) According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) weekly epidemiological report, cases dwindled to 14 cases in 2021, 13 in 2022, and just six in 2023 from 3.5 million cases in the 1980s. 2) India eliminated GWD in the 1990s, 3) India received GWD-free certification from the WHO in 2000. |
What are neglected tropical diseases?
They are diseases which occur in the tropics, usually in the low middle income countries settings.
They comprise a group of 20 conditions mainly prevalent in tropical areas — caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. For Ex-Leprosy, Trachoma etc.
Read more about-Neglected tropical diseases
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