Emerging Infectious Diseases (Sep 2017)

Possible Role of Fish as Transport Hosts for Dracunculus spp. Larvae

  • Christopher A. Cleveland,
  • Mark L. Eberhard,
  • Alec T. Thompson,
  • Stephen J. Smith,
  • Hubert Zirimwabagabo,
  • Robert Bringolf,
  • Michael J. Yabsley

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2309.161931
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 9
pp. 1590 – 1592

Abstract

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To inform Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) eradication efforts, we evaluated the role of fish as transport hosts for Dracunculus worms. Ferrets fed fish that had ingested infected copepods became infected, highlighting the importance of recommendations to cook fish, bury entrails, and prevent dogs from consuming raw fish and entrails.

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