Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the Guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis. After infection, the mature female worm emerges through the skin, usually causing a painful blister.

Dracunculus medinensis: A parasitic nematode whose mature female causes Guinea worm disease by emerging through human skin. This species is the parasite responsible for dracunculiasis.
Guinea worm eradication: The global public-health effort to end transmission of Dracunculus medinensis. Dracunculiasis is the target of a decades-long campaign built around preventing new infections.
Secondary infection: An infection that develops after another condition or infection has disrupted the body's defenses. Open skin lesions can become infected and delay recovery.
Schistosomiasis: A parasitic disease caused by blood flukes transmitted through contact with contaminated freshwater. Both involve freshwater transmission, but schistosomiasis is caused by flukes and does not involve a worm emerging through skin.
Cyclops (copepod): A genus of small freshwater copepods that includes hosts for several parasitic worms. Infective Guinea worm larvae reach people inside these water-dwelling crustaceans.
Safe water: Water sufficiently protected and treated to avoid significant health risks when used or consumed. Providing safe drinking water prevents people from swallowing infected copepods.
Disability: A long-term limitation in functioning arising from health conditions and environmental barriers. Pain and wounds can temporarily prevent walking, work, and school attendance.
Onchocerciasis: A parasitic disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by blackflies. It can cause skin disease, but infection spreads through insect bites rather than drinking contaminated water.
Guinea worm life cycle: The sequence by which Guinea worms pass between humans and freshwater copepods. It connects ingestion of infected copepods to the female worm's skin emergence.
Water filtration: The removal of suspended particles and organisms from water by passing it through a filter. Portable filters can strain infected copepods from drinking water.

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