TRANSMISSION / RESERVOIR / VECTOR
TRANSMISSION:
Guinea worm disease is transmitted to humans through drinking
contaminated water which contain Cyclops which host D. medinensis larvae. Immersion
of the papule or ulcer in water can also trigger release of larvae from the
worm into the water source, which then are uptaken by the Cyclops water flea.
RESERVOIR:
There is no evidence that an animal reservoir exists for
the Guinea worm, which makes it an easier disease to eradicate. However, domestic
animals and mammals can be infected as accidental hosts.
VECTOR:
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~kwrigh4/abstract.html
The Cyclops crustacean or water flea is the only vector
or intermediate host. Its size is 1-2 mm and after it ingests the larvae, it
develops to the stage at which it can infect humans 14 days thereafter.