GUINEAWORM ::
It is also named as Dracunculus medinensis it has been prevalent in Rajasthan madras and mysore The male is 4cm long and female is 90-130 cm in length it is like a thread The worm is lodged in the uterus of the female Guineaworm burrows mostly under the skin of the leg and rarely on the back First of all the blister occurs it breaks the skin and female comes out with a whitish dicharge These larvae pass into water and are eaten up by the cyclops here in about a month s time larvae develop
A. Cyclops B. Adult worm emerging C. Larvae from the skin of the foot discharged in water and swallowed by cyclops
When the person drinks such an infected water containing infected cyclops guineaworm infection occurs It is interesting that the acid of the gastric juice kills the cyclops and sets the larvae free which finally reaches the subcutaneous tissues it takes one year to reach maturity The closed stagnant water of lake (vava) harbour cyclops :
Preventive Measures for the spread of guinea worm infection :
1.Entrance to the well and tank should be prohibited
2.Disinfection should be done with potassium permanganate or calcium hydroxide (1 gram in a gallon )
3.Drinking water should be boiled and filtered through a cloth before drinking
4.Avoid drinking infected water
5.Cyclops are eaten by Barbel fish Therefore these fishes should be put in the water to kill the cyclops
6.Servants suffering from guineaworm infection should not be allowed to handle household water The affected blisters should be kept covered with the bandage Such persons should be promptly treated
Due to the extensive efforts by the Government agencies since 2000 this disease has been eradicated from india
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