Guinea worm disease

Guinea worm disease is an infection in humans caused by a parasite known as the guinea worm and associated with burning pain. Historically a fairly common disease, affecting millions of people each year in the Middle East, India, and Africa, it is now relatively rare, isolated to just a handful of countries in Africa. Death from guinea worm disease is infrequent; however, because it is debilitating, affected persons often have limited mobility and are unable to perform work. This data includes confirmed guinea worm disease cases, including those confirmed clinically, epidemiologically, or by laboratory investigation. Cases that have been discarded following laboratory investigation should not be included.