Two days ago the United Nations officially certified Nigeria free from Guinea Worm. Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) is a modular dematosis produced by a parasite called Dracunculus Medinensis. It has been a skin disease reported to be found in humans, dogs, cats, horses, cattle and other animals in parts of Asia and Africa.
The disease is caused by drinking water contaminated by water fleas known as Copepoda which host the Dracunculus larva. The larva then mature into long thin roundworms that begin to move to the lower leg of the body of its victim through the subcutaneous tissues. This leads to intense pain localized on its path of travel. The pain is like a burning sensation. That is why the Guinea Worm Disease is also known as "the fiery serpent". Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea and vomiting.
There is no vaccine or medicine to treat or prevent Guinea worm disease. Once a Guinea worm begins emerging, the first step is to do a controlled submersion of the affected area in a bucket of water. This causes the worm to discharge many of its larva, making it less infectious.
Therefore for the nation to succeed in getting a clean bill from the UN with respect to the Guinea Worm Disease, serves as another feather in the cap of the Transformation Agenda of the present government. It's shows that the populace of our great nation now access to water that is free from the GWD parasite.
For this we say well done to all the ministries, parastatals, government and non-governmental agencies that have worked to see this feat achieved.
God bless all that have worked to see this happen! God bless Nigeria!
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