Guinea worm infection in a Nigerian village

Abstract

An epidemiological study of Wawa village near Kainji Lake in Kwara State of Nigeria led to the source of guinea worm infection, a man-made cattle pond by the village. The people acquired the infection mainly during the dry season by drinking cyclops-infested water of the pond known to be the best and coolest for the rural people through the water was dearer and more difficult to get than the water from the wells. It is suggested that an interdisciplinary approach should replace the usual fractional and departmental planning the provision of water for men and livestock.