Abstract |
In 1986 the World Health Organization targeted dracunculiasis ( Guinea-worm disease), which seriously impairs socioeconomic development in 16 African countries, India, Pakistan, and Yemen, to be eradicated globally. The target date for eradication by the end of 1995 was established in 1991. Pakistan eradicated dracunculiasis from the country in October, 1993, after a national campaign which began in 1987 with a nationwide village-by-village search for cases. The infection, which is transmitted by drinking water from ponds containing infected water fleas, was eradicated by using health education, cloth filters, and the cyclopsicide, temephos; and in the later stages, by case containment. Methods pioneered in Pakistan's National Guinea Worm Eradication Program are now being applied in remaining endemic countries.
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Authors | D R Hopkins, M Azam, E Ruiz-Tiben, K D Kappus |
Journal | Lancet (London, England)
(Lancet)
Vol. 346
Issue 8975
Pg. 621-4
(Sep 02 1995)
ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England |
PMID | 7651010
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Communicable Disease Control
(methods)
- Disease Outbreaks
(prevention & control, statistics & numerical data)
- Dracunculiasis
(epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Health Education
- Humans
- Pakistan
(epidemiology)
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