THE GUINEA WORM
By : Shelton Lewis
Where Does it Live?????
The guinea worm comes from drinking unfiltered water harboring larvae-infected fleas. Only four countries reported local Guinea worm disease in 2012. These countries were Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan. In the human body it resides in the leg or foot area.
How Do They Reproduce??? How big do They Get???
The Gunea Worm reproduces when victims, seeking relief from the burning sensation caused by the emerging Guinea worm, immerse their limbs in sources of drinking water, which stimulates the emerging worm to release larvae into the water and begin the cycle all over again.The male guinea worm is typically much smaller (12–29 mm or 0.47–1.1 in) than the female, which, as an adult, can grow to 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) long and be as thick as a spaghetti noodle.
What are the Guinea Worms Host of Choice????
For further development, the larvae need to be ingested by suitable predatory species of copepods, measuring 1 to 2 mm. the host copepod needs to be ingested in drinking water obtained from ponds or open wells to get into the human body. The Guinea Worm must infect a human body in order to survive and reproduce. It relies on two organisms for its own survival: water fleas and humans.
what is an adaptation of the Guinea Worm???
An adaptation of the guinea worm is that theyre larvae are not harmed by human stomach acid.
What does the Guinea Worm feed on???
The Guinea Worm is a parasite and it feeds on the blood of its vertebrate host.
INTERESTING FACTS!!!!
About one year after the infection, an agonizingly painful blister forms - 90% of the time on the lower leg – and one or more worms emerge accompanied by a burning sensation.
To soothe the burning pain, patients often immerse the infected area in water.
Guinea-worm disease does not kill, but infected people become non-functional for months.
During the transmission season, contaminated ponds can be treated with the larvicide temephos which kills the infective water fleas.