Goodbye to all that Guinea worm -. emerging here of a human foot -. was swept out of Asia
India finally conquered Guinea worm, making it the second disease after smallpox to be completely eradicated in the country. The disease, which mainly affects the rural poor, is now limited to only 12 African countries, according to an announcement last month by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Guinea worm, transmitted by contaminated drinking water, is known to researchers as the giant roundworm parasite Dracunculus medinensis , a spaghetti-thin wriggler that can reach up to one meter long. The worm breeds in the water where the eggs are taken and fed by Cyclops , an aquatic insect.
thereFifty years, 25 million Indians have suffered from Guinea worm disease, a painful incurable condition can cause debilitating infections. But a worm eradication campaign reduced the number of cases to 40,000 by early 1980. And Subhash Salunke, a communicable disease WHO consultant based in New Delhi, said that "hopefully in 4-5 coming years, "the world will be free Guinea worm by 2010.
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