Guinea worm disease is caused by a parasite name Dracunculus medinensis. It is by far the most significant parasite to infect humans and affects the tissues. Female worms can store within them approximately several million eggs and can range in size from 600 to 600nm long and 1cm in width. The male worms, on the other hand, are much smaller and can only grow in length likened to the size of a pasta noodle.
The worm lodges into the muscle layers and results in excruciating pain, especially felt in the joints. It then finds its exit route several meters away from the entry point. There is also a note of swelling, pain, and fluid accumulation in the area where the worm lodges. Most often, the infestation is accompanied by non-specific signs and symptoms such as headache, gastric upset, and vomiting.
Guinea worm disease is caused by the ingestion of water or utilization of water for cooking and other household chores infested by the larva of Dracunculus medinensis. It was first reported among children and adults alike in the third world countries who suffer drought and famine in that they are forced to eat dirt cakes (referring to a delicacy also known as Galette in Haiti), where the mud is combined with water, margarine, salt and is dried under the heat of the sun.
