Surgical Extraction as a Complimentary Control Option for Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis is one of the oldest parasitic diseases known to man, and currently affects approximately 50 millon people in Africa, India and the middle east (Hopkins, 19911. The disease is commonly referred to as guinea worm disease. Recently, there have been more concerted efforts to control the disease; and more attention directed towards many ways of controlling its economic impact in various countries (Hopkins, 1991). While the mortality rate is low, the disease’s socio-economic impact is probably greater than that of many fatal infections. The alleviation of this disease will result in a dramatic improvement in the health and agricultural productivity and general well-being of millions of affected people in endemic areas of the developing world.