DRACUNCULUS MEDINENSIS Wilson Cahill

Dracunculus medinensis Classification PhylumNematoda ClassSecernentea OrderCamallanida FamilyDracunculidae GenusDracunculus Speciesmedinensis

Dracunculus medinensis

Distribution Found in only 5 African Countries due to eradication efforts. Chad, South Sudan, Mali, Ghana, and Ethiopia. South Sudan has the biggest problem while Ghana has practically eradicated the parasite by 2011

Disease Causes Guinea Worm Disease Symptoms: Fever Nausea Vomiting Intense pain along the path taken by the worm (Which led to its nickname, the fiery serpent.)

Hosts Vector: Copapods Definitive Host: Humans

Life Cycle

Life cycle Life Cycle

Diagnosis There is no formal diagnosis, due to the limited range of the worm and the unique blisters that the worm forms.

Treatment Treating the parasite requires the careful removal of the worm, which is either done surgically, or by winding the live worm around a stick. You MUST NOT break the worm, otherwise it will either putrefy or petrify inside to body. Antibiotics can be administered to ward off from infections from the open wound.

Prevention Only drink purified water Keeping infected individuals out of drinking water.