What does Dracunculus medinensis do?

Dracunculus medinensis causes the disease dracunculiasis which is commonly referred to as Guinea worm disease (GWD). Individuals become infected by drinking water containing water fleas harboring the Guinea worm larvae. Stomach acid is able to digest the water fleas; however, the Guinea worm larvae survive.

How do you control Dracunculus medinensis?

Prevention. No vaccine exists against Guinea worm, but the disease can be completely prevented by ensuring safe drinking water and not allowing the adult worms to disperse their larvae. The best way to prevent infection is to drink water only from uncontaminated water sources, like hand-dug wells and boreholes.

Is Dracunculus Medinensis a filarial worm?

Dracunculus medinensis, the guinea worm, is not a true filarial worm, but is often grouped with the filariae.

What part of the human body can Dracunculus medinensis be found?

Humans are infected when they drink water with crustaceans which are infected with larva of D. medinensis. The larvae are released in the small intestine and penetrate the wall of the intestine to enter the abdominal cavity.

Is Dracunculus medinensis a filarial worm?

What is the infective stage of Dracunculus medinensis?

medinensis larvae develop to an infective stage within 14 days. When the infected copepod is ingested by a mammalian host, by drinking unfiltered water the copepod is then dissolved by stomach acid and dies and the D.

What are some of the systemic effects of contracting Guinea worm?

These wound infections can then result in one or more of the following complications:

• Redness and swelling of the skin (cellulitis)
• Boils (abscesses)
• Generalized infection (sepsis)
• Joint infections (septic arthritis) that can cause the joints to lock and deform (contractures)
• Lock jaw (tetanus)

In which year Guinea worm disease is eradicated from Gujarat?

After implementation of National Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in 1983-84, the last case of GW disease was reported in 1996. Disease has been eradicated and India was declared as guinea worm disease free country by WHO in 2000.