Horrifying parasitic illness reaches all-time low

[Scurrilous]

Source: Associated Press

<snip>

"Cases of Guinea worm disease — a horrifying infection that culminates in worms coming out of a victim's skin — have reached an all-time low worldwide, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced Friday.

Only 4,410 cases were reported worldwide during the first ten months of this year, all in six African countries. Nearly 80 percent were in Sudan, according to The Carter Center, the disease-fighting nonprofit founded by Carter and his wife.

That total is a dramatic drop from the 3.5 million cases in 20 nations that were reported when The Carter Center's eradication campaign began in 1986. It's also less than half the 9,585 cases reported by individual nations in 2007.

"Our record on Guinea worm for the last few years has been steadily and rapidly downward," Carter said.

Health experts hope that next year may see the last reported cases of the parasitic illness, which would make it the second infection — after smallpox — to be eliminated from the world."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hdYCwRVjAtPW80M3kZ78L7BZANNwD94SJGI80

[Hugin]

1. Well, there's some good news.

Thanks Jimmy! :thumbsup:

[SteppingRazor]

2. I've long said the Guinea worm should replace the elephant as the symbol of the GOP...

so it's fitting that the disease is at an all-time low after the 2008 elections :)

[ClarkUSA]

3. Jimmy Carter is a wonderful humanitarian who's not into glitz, glamor, and jetsetting.

Wish all ex-presidents were as low-key and effective.

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. ewwwwwww (gory details enclosed)

What is the infectious agent that causes guinea worm disease?

Guinea worm disease is caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a threadlike parasitic worm that grows and matures in people. Worms grow up to 3 feet long and are as wide as a paper clip wire.


How do people get Guinea worm disease?

People get infected when they drink standing water containing a tiny water flea that is infected with the even tinier larvae of the Guinea worm. Over the course of a year in the human body, the immature worms pierce the intestinal wall, grow to adulthood, and mate. The males die, and the females make their way through the body, maturing to a length of as much as 3 feet, and ending up near the surface of the skin, usually in the lower limbs. The worms cause swelling and painful, burning blisters. To soothe the burning, sufferers tend to go into the water, where the blisters burst, allowing the worm to emerge and release a new generation of millions of larvae. In the water, the larvae are swallowed by small water fleas, and the cycle begins again.

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/guinea.html

For the truly brave...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FYgQFSrZDE

[BootinUp]

8. fascinating

and congratulations to Pres. Carter and all who have worked on the problem.

[Doctor_J]

5. Not all-time low. There are still 41 of them, now that Chambliss "won"

Oh, that's a different horrifying parasitic disease.

[Stuart G]

6. Some Presidents leave a legacy of death..Carter saves millions..K and R

[Stuart G]

7. Down from 3.5 million in 86, when Carter Center began eradiction work..

That total is a dramatic drop from the 3.5 million cases in 20 nations that were reported when The Carter Center's eradication campaign began in 1986. It's also less than half the 9,585 cases reported by individual nations in 2007.

[Stuart G]

9. Right herre, right now...a miracle ...please K and R...thanks..in honor of Jimmy Carter

[uppityperson]

10. Thank you Jimmy Carter. Ewwwwwww (links to more facts...)

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/guinea.html


From wikipedia:
The name, dracunculiasis, is derived from the Latin "affliction with little dragons".
.
.

The ancient symbol of medicine, the staff of Asklepios, is believed to also represent the treatment of Guinea worm still used today.
.
.
.

[nichomachus]

11. Oh -- I thought you meant Reaganism n/t

[truthisfreedom]

12. Wow, there's a disease that manifests itself as a perfect metaphor for bushco?

I had no idea!

[Hekate]

13. Jimmy and Roslyn Carter are incredible people. Bless them.

The contrast with * is beyond belief -- especially if you saw his reply to Charlie Gibson's question about what he's going to do after he leaves the White House.

When that Judgment Day that Bush claims to believe in comes -- God will know the difference.

In the meantime, the world is so fortunate to have the Carters in it.

Hekate

[Shallah Kali]

14. * enjoys contemplating good works. The Carters and people like them just do the good works

You are so right. They make the world a better place through this and so many other projects! Bless them and all like them.

[pitohui]

15. that would be cool as hell

let's hope that next year that they can indeed announce that this disease is vanished from this earth