Dracunculus medinensis. The “fiery serpent”. Guinea worm.
It is set to become the second human disease in history, after smallpox, to be eradicated. It will be the first parasitic disease to be eradicated and the first disease to be eradicated without the use of a vaccine or medicine.
Joining me to discuss this parasite is Parasitology teacher, author of Parasites: Tales of Humanity’s Most Unwelcome Guests and friend of the show–Rosemary Drisdelle.
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