The spread of dracunculiasis can be prevented by taking a number of steps that can interrupt the life cycle of the parasite.
Steps to prevent becoming infected:
(1) filtering drinking water (using a finely woven cloth or similar material)
(2) drinking clean water from a source uncontaminated by larvae (well, borehole, etc)
(3) treating contaminated water with a larvicide (temephos = Abate)
(4) introducing fish that eat the copepods (Barbus puckelli, Rasbora donicornicus)
Steps to prevent release of larvae into water sources:
(1) educating patients to avoid entering a water source if a Guinea worm is emerging from the body
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
