TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 326. Dracunculiasis A1 - Schieffelin, John S. A1 - Oberhelman, Richard A. A2 - Rudolph, Colin D. A2 - Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 - Lister, George E. A2 - First, Lewis R. A2 - Gershon, Anne A. PY - 2011 T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e AB - Dracunculiasis (dracontiasis, guinea worm disease) is caused by infection of subcutaneous and connective tissues with the guinea worm Dracunculus medinensis. Humans are the only known reservoir. Once a scourge affecting thousands of people around the world, the range of this organism has been greatly reduced as a result of a global eradication program spearheaded by the Carter Center’s Global 2000 program. After an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986, 25,217 cases were reported in 2006.1Over 180 countries have now been certified as free of guinea worm by the World Health Organization. Currently, the Carter Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the incidence of guinea worm infection fell by 95% between 1986 and 1996 such that it is now estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 cases, which are limited to five African countries—Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, and Mali. Sudan alone accounts for more than two thirds of the total cases reported worldwide. Virtually all cases occur in rural, isolated areas. The economic impact of infection is significant, with adults losing about 100 days of work and children missing 25% of school when symptomatic.2,3 SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7030930 ER -