1. Dracunculus medinensis or Guinea worm is a nematode that causes dracunculiasis, also known as guinea worm disease.

2. There Father contracted guinea worm disease, which was an added affliction to his abdominal sickness.

3. Small pox and guinea worm have been eradicated and there is hope that poliomyelitis will be contained in the near future.

4. Polio is one of only two diseases currently the subject of a global eradication program, the other being Guinea worm disease.

5. One way is to provide safe sources of water, such as a borehole well, that cannot be contaminated by guinea worm larvae.