Although the World Health Organization (WHO) once certified Vietnam as free from Dracunculus medinensis, commonly known as the guinea worm, recent years have seen the parasite reappear in isolated cases - raising concerns about dangerous complications and potential public health risks.

Speaking at the 51st National Conference on Parasitology on April 1, Associate Professor Dr. Do Trung Dung from the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (Hanoi) revealed significant changes in Vietnam’s parasitic infection landscape.

Dr. Dung noted that WHO officially recognized Vietnam as free of the guinea worm in 1998. However, beginning in 2020, isolated infections have emerged. Over the past five years, 24 cases have been documented, all in adult males across five provinces: Yen Bai (11 cases), Phu Tho (8), Lao Cai (2), Hoa Binh (1), and Thanh Hoa (2).

Patients typically reported eating undercooked animal meat - such as fish, frogs, and snakes - or drinking untreated water. Once inside the body, guinea worm larvae incubate for 10 to 12 months before the mature worm begins its painful journey outward through the skin.

In light of these cases, WHO has issued new recommendations for Vietnam, calling for improved surveillance, public health education, and epidemiological research into the parasite.

Currently, there are no diagnostic tests, medications, or vaccines available to detect, treat, or prevent guinea worm disease. Treatment is limited to waiting for the worm to naturally emerge from the skin - a process that may take several days to a month. The worms can reach lengths of 70 centimeters to 1.2 meters.

According to Dr. Dung, forcibly extracting the worm or attempting surgical removal can be extremely dangerous. “Each guinea worm may carry 3 to 4 million larvae. If the worm is broken during extraction, it can release toxins and larvae into the body, leading to inflammation, secondary infections, or even sepsis,” he explained. Other severe complications include joint immobility and abscesses caused by dead worms.

To prevent guinea worm disease and other parasitic infections, Dr. Dung urged the public to practice safe food and hygiene habits.

These include eating well-cooked food, drinking boiled water, maintaining clean water sources, managing waste effectively, and ensuring hygiene in kitchens and food preparation areas.

He also advised against using untreated human waste as fertilizer and warned against free-range livestock practices, encouraging measures to eliminate flies, cockroaches, and other disease vectors.

Phuong Thuy