Figure 1.Guinea worm emerging from the foot of a patient in South Sudan (Credit: Makoy S. Yibi)
The National Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed six human cases of Guinea worm and three cases in domestic animals across Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, and Warrap states.
The latest confirmation indicates resurgence of the parasitic worm after it was completely eliminated by 2017. Cases started to re-emerge in South Sudan in 2018, with the latest infections now detected in both humans and animals.
Dr. Harriat Pasquale, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health, said South Sudan has been endemic for Guinea worm since 2006, when about 20,000 cases were detected.
“The good news, after 2017, we even reached a level where Guinea worm was completely eliminated from South Sudan. We reached a level of zero cases of Guinea worm,” she narrated to Eye Radio on Wednesday.
“But now, we have started to record cases again, so over the past year since 2018 and now, we have six cases of Guinea worm, and then we have infections also in animals. We have cases in Eastern Equatoria, in Lake state, and also in Warrap state.”
The health official assured the public that the government, in collaboration with the Carter Center, has put measures in place to contain the outbreak.
These include strengthening community engagement, enhancing surveillance, and improving access to clean water through partnerships in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
Dr. Pasquale emphasized the importance of immediate treatment to prevent further transmission, as untreated cases can contaminate water sources and spread the infection.
“We are working with the partners in the wash to ensure that we are able to support communities to bring clean and safe water. We have a very strong surveillance system for the Guinea worm.”
“Any case identified is immediately being treated. Because if you don’t treat and they go to the water sources, then again, they can transmit the infection to others.”
Guinea worm infection, also known as Dracunculiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by the Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis). It is contracted when people drink water contaminated with tiny water fleas (copepods) that carry Guinea worm larvae.
Guinea worm infection happened when a person drinks contaminated water The larvae mature inside the body over about a year. The symptoms of the disease are Painful blisters as the worm emerges Fever, swelling, and secondary infections.
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