Progress towards the Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis

Justin  Woei; Sonam  Sharma; Risha  Patidar; Roselin  Ogunjimi; Pooyan  Nikookar; Jerome  Nchamukong; Elizabeth  Mathew; Krystel  Ly; Muguette  Kemajou; Yashika  Dixon; Chuku  Okorie; Adekunle  Sanyaolu

doi:10.4236/oalib.1101696

Adekunle Sanyaolu^*, Chuku Okorie, Yashika Dixon, Muguette Kemajou, Krystel Ly, Elizabeth Mathew, Jerome Nchamukong, Pooyan Nikookar, Roselin Ogunjimi, Risha Patidar, Sonam Sharma, Justin Woei

Abstract: Dracunculus medinensis is a parasitic infection that can be prevented but still endemic in few countries today. Most individuals are not even aware that they are infected until when the symptoms develop. Contaminated drinking water, endemicity for the disease, and previous history of infection are the major risk factors for transmission of this disease. The Guinea worm’s life-cycle begins in contaminated water and ends within the human body. A host is necessary for the survival of this parasite. Symptoms do not develop until after about one year later. The overall infection process is very painful with a low mortality rate. The duration for treatment may take anywhere from hours, days, or weeks. Management of this parasitic infection is critical and can only be done after the worm has been completely removed. The incidence of the disease has decreased significantly since the 1980s. However, the complete eradication of Dracunculiasis has proven to be a very difficult process. Fortunately, there has been tremendous progress in the steps toward global eradication of the disease. There are several measures, such as surveillance, vector control, health education, provision of portable drinking water and community sensitization and mobilization which are currently being implemented by several governmental and non-governmental organizations in order to contain and hopefully eradicate the disease.

Keywords: Dracunculus medinensis, Eradication, Dracunculiasis, Copepods

Cite this paper: Sanyaolu, A. , Okorie, C. , Dixon, Y. , Kemajou, M. , Ly, K. , Mathew, E. , Nchamukong, J. , Nikookar, P. , Ogunjimi, R. , Patidar, R. , Sharma, S. and Woei, J. (2015) Progress towards the Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis. Open Access Library Journal, 2, 1-9. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1101696.

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