ID#: 8227
Caption:
This photograph depicts a Nigerian man, who was having a Guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis, extracted from his right lower leg. The roundworm has emerged from its subcutaneous burrow, just distal to the posterior knee region. The worm has migrated, over a period of approximately one year, to its site of emergence to release its eggs in a local pond or stream. Before the worm emerges, a blister develops on the skin, causing a very painful burning sensation before rupturing within 24 to 72-hours. Once the white, spaghetti-like worm emerges from the wound, it is pulled out only a few centimeters each day, and wrapped around a small stick or piece of gauze. Sometimes a worm can be pulled out completely within a few days, but this painful process often takes weeks.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (15.15 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ The Carter Center
Creation Date: 2004
Photo Credit: E. Staub
Links: Copyright Info: The Carter Center
Categories:
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Copyright Restrictions: Yes - This image is copyright protected. Any public or private use of this image is subject to prevailing copyright laws. Please contact the content provider of this image for permission requests.