[kj] OT: Jimmy Carter: Worms are slithering out of peoples' skin less than ever

B. Oliver Sheppard bigblackhair at sbcglobal.net
Fri Dec 5 20:14:08 EST 2008


Horrifying parasitic illness reaches all-time low

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer
Fri Dec 5, 9:14 am ET

ATLANTA – Cases of Guinea worm disease — a horrifying infection that
culminates in worms coming out of a victim's skin — have reached an
all-time low worldwide, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced Friday.

[...]

Guinea worm occurs when people drink water contaminated with worm
larvae. Over a year, one or more of the larvae can grow to the size of a
3-foot-long spaghetti noodle. Then they very slowly emerge through the
skin, often causing searing, debilitating pain for months. The disease
is usually not fatal.

There is no vaccine or medicine for the parasite. Infection is prevented
by filtering water and educating people how to avoid the disease.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_on_re_us/med_guinea_worm


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