Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) characterized by a painful burning skin lesion from which the <i>Dracunculus medinensis</i> parasite emerges approximately 1 year after infection resulting from consumption of unsafe drinking water containing parasite-infected copepods (<i>Cyclops spp.</i>, microcrustacea also called water fleas).