Guinea worm disease: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	dracontiasis • dracunculiasis

Photos

Diagram showing the life cycle of the guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis, with labeled steps and illustrations. It depicts a human drinking contaminated water, larvae developing in the body and emerging through the skin, and water fleas ingesting larvae in water, completing the cycle. Arrows and text explain each stage, highlighting the parasite's dependence on water fleas and human hosts.

Microscope view of a Cyclops water flea copepod, showing its segmented body and fine bristles, which is a carrier of the guinea worm parasite.

guinea worm disease

guinea worm disease

guinea worm disease treatment at Savelugu Hospital, Northern Region, Ghana

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Topics

Cyclops guinea worm skin disease parasitic disease malaria plague rabies Lyme disease schistosomiasis cellulitis scabies filariasis leishmaniasis hookworm disease

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