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BugBitten
Bad news for Guinea worms
The prospect of eliminating a parasitic disease afflicting humans took a leap forward in 2020, despite restrictions caused by a global pandemic.
2 Feb 2021
Extracting a Guinea worm from the ankle by wrapping it around a stick. Credit: Public Health Image Library/1968
In the same week that the latest WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases report was published (featured in our blog last Friday), the Carter Foundation made two very encouraging announcements concerning Guinea Worm eradication.
The Guinea worm
Known as dracunculiasis, Guinea worm disease is caused by the round worm,
Dracunculus medinensis. Infection occurs when water fleas, infected with the larval stages of the worm, are accidentally ingested. Males fertilise females and then die, but females begin to grow and, after many months, migrate to the extremities of the body, particularly the feet and legs.
In 2019,
Guinea worm
Image/Video Screen Shot
Today, the Carter Center reports the total cases in 2020 has dropped back down to 27 cases in 6 countries.
In addition, Guinea worm infections in animals fell 20% in the same period.
During 2020, only 12 human cases of Guinea worm disease were reported in Chad, a dramatic 75 percent reduction from 48 the previous year. Eleven cases were reported in Ethiopia, and one each in South Sudan, Angola, Mali, and Cameroon.
As for Guinea worm infections in animals, Chad reported 1,570 (1,507 domestic dogs, 61 domestic cats, and two wild cats), Ethiopia reported 15 (eight domestic dogs, three domestic cats, four baboons), and Mali reported eight infected domestic dogs.
Top 10 Most Horrific Parasite Infections
[
WARNING: content will be disturbing to most.] Most of us (thankfully) never have had to experience any of these parasites. Though there are people who are at risk everyday and haguive to go through these horrid symptoms and even risk death if infected, or more so, infested.
10
Taeniasis (Tapeworm)
Taeniasis is a tapeworm infection. Tapeworm infestation does not usually cause any symptoms. Infection is generally recognized when the infected person passes segments of proglottids in the stool, especially if the segment is moving. Mmm sounds like fun! Not. People acquire tapeworms by eating undercooked meat or freshwater fish that contain tapeworm cysts. Tapeworms in the intestine usually cause no symptoms but may cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Though however if they are in the brain, larval cysts cause various symptoms, such as headaches, seizures, and confusion. [JFrater: Given the choice of a picture of th