ABSTRACT
Remarkable success in the control of dracunculiasis in Nigeria, where 25% of the world’s dracunculiasis cases were located when the global effort began, has been achieved through a national eradication campaign (Edungbola et al., 1992). The original date set for the global eradication of dracunculiasis was 1995, but this date has had to be extended to 2005. The decline in the extent of dracunculiasis has been managed without recourse to anthelminthic treatment programs or vaccines (Section 6.6). Although much of the content of this book places emphasis on the importance of deworming in the control of morbidity due to helminthiasis, the dracunculiasis experience merits inclusion because it should inspire and encourage public health workers dealing with other forms of helminthiasis. Helminthiasis can be controlled in countries where the terrain is challenging, the infrastructure is minimal, resources are scarce, and the population endures the deprivation that exudes from poverty.
