Guinea Worm Disease

Context

For combating Guinea Worm Disease, efforts are still going on in Central African Republic and Chad whereas Significant progress has been made by Mali and South Sudan.

Important Aspects

• Guinea Worm Disease had over 3.5 million cases during 1980’s.
• As per WHO, there is a significant decrease in the number of cases with only 14 in 2021, 13 in 2022 and 6 in 2023.
• The eradication of this disease mainly relies on public health measures not on the technological advancement aspects.
• Vaccines have not been effective in this disease.
• Its eradication is becoming more possible due to human innovation.

About the Disease, Guinea Worm Disease

• It is also known as Dracunculiasis and is caused by a worm called Dracunculus medinensis.
• It is found in mummies of Egypt and mentioned in ancient times.
• Due to poor drinking water access has been the main reason behind this.
• No medication or vaccine till date for prevention of this disease.

Symptoms and Transmission

• First, the infected person will develop painful blisters on their leg.
• The worm makes the person greatly weak and makes them disabled or difficult to carry out their daily activities.
• The person infected with it may experience fever, nausea and vomiting.
• The other symptoms are severe pain, swelling and the possibility of bacterial infections in the wound.
• It occurs in the leg and feet.
• It takes for the transmission cycle to finish is 10-14 months and it results in a female worm leaving the body after 10-14 months.
• It spreads mainly due to contaminated water.

Current Status

• In the 1990s India accomplished its eradication successfully.
• In the year 2000, the government was certified by WHO.
• Communities are being empowered in knowledge and tools and reporting of cases as per given circumstances.

Challenges

•  In 2020 scientists have found that they are residing in dogs as Chad.
• This was a very complex matter to eradicate completely this disease.
• The civil unrest and poverty become hindrance in eradicating the disease completely.

Conclusion

• The eradication of this disease shows that the factor which is required for the human being to overcome this, and it illuminated the path for the awareness regarding the public health standards.
• It is a measure of credibility to international efforts to reduce the number of cases and which proves that the effectiveness of community management in disease prevention is maximum and optimum.
• Inequality in health must be addressed with unity which can bring large success in public health.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q.Which of the following parasites is the cause of the Guinea worm disease?

a. Dracunculus medinensis

b. Lymphatic filariasis

c. Strongloides stercoralis

c. Gnathostomiasis

Ans: “a”

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