The Guinea worm disease, also known as the Medina worm disease or, by its scientific name, Dracunculiasis, belongs to the category of parasitic infections. The infection is caused by a nematode, namely the Dracunculus medinensis. The name of Dracunculus is derived from the Latin “affliction with dragons,” whereas the more popular name of “Guinea worm” began being used after Europeans first discovered the disease in the 17th century, on the Guinea coast of Western Africa.

The disease “benefits” from another common name, which is “the fiery serpent.” This particular name stems from the very painful, burning sensation that patients infected with the Guinea worm disease feel. Although it had once reached the state of pandemics, as it was common in about 20 countries situated in Asia and Africa, to now be prevalent in only five countries, all part of sub-Saharan Africa. There is a simple way to avoid contracting the Guinea worm disease: you have to avoid drinking stagnant water which is contaminated with the worm’s larvae. Because the disease is not transmitted through any kind of animal or environmental reservoir, it was hoped that the Guinea worm disease would be the first to be eradicated without the need of cures or vaccines.

Recently, important progress has been made in the fight against infection with Guinea worm disease. Basically, awareness-raising campaigns are being held in high-risk areas, concentrating on basic hygiene rules, but also larvicides for those who have already been infected and even everyday cloths used to primitively purify the infected water. These basic methods have managed to reduce the rate of Guinea worm disease infection by an astounding 99%, according to the Carter Center.