An Overview of Parasitic Disease: Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis, also known as guinea worm disease, is a parasitic illness that only affects isolated, rural communities without access to clean drinking water in thirteen sub-Saharan African countries. The WHO has identified it as one of the next diseases to be eradicated. Water contaminated with copepods, or water fleas, carrying Dracunculiasis medinensis larvae is the vector of guinea worm disease transmission. A year after humans consume contaminated water, an adult female worm emerges, usually from a lower extremity, causing excruciating ulcers that can cause severe mobility impairment for several weeks. This illness strikes during the height of agricultural activity every year. A village's economically productive population is typically impacted in large numbers at the same time, which lowers agricultural output and causes economic difficulties. Since there is no known cure or vaccine for guinea worm disease, prevention is the key to its eradication. Globally, guinea worm disease cases have decreased by 98% since 1986, mostly due to community-based initiatives. Through these initiatives, the community has been taught how to filter water to get rid of parasites and how to stop people who have ulcers from contaminating drinking water sources. Sustained high-level political, financial, and community support will be necessary for complete eradication. By using an ayurvedic treatment approach, dracunculiasis can also be prevented. Ayurvedic medicine uses a few medicinal plants that exhibit antiparasitic activity against dracunculiasis, including Neem, Turmeric, Garlic, Amala, Baheda, Harde, Vidanga, Gokshura, Rasna, Bilva root, and Bala root.