5 Facts you should know about

Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis, also called Guinea-worm disease (GWD), is a parasitic infection by the Guinea worm

Initially there are no symptoms - about one year later, the female worm forms a painful blister in the skin, usually on a lower limb

The name dracunculiasis is derived from the Latin meaning "affliction with little dragons"

Other Dracunculus species are known to infect various mammals, but do not appear to infect humans

Dogs may also become infected

Rare Infectious Disease News