6 ms·
We're getting damned close with guinea worms -- down from 3.5 million cases in 1986 to 22 in 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eradication_of_dracunculiasis
by Turing_Machine 8y ago
We're getting damned close with guinea worms -- down from 3.5 million cases in 1986 to 22 in 2015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eradication_of_dracunculiasis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eradication_of_dracunculiasis
May the day when it drops to zero come soon.
- Baeocystin 8y agoI do hope we get a full genomic sequence of it before it's gone, though. Anything that has co-evolved dealing with the human immune system for so long likely has useful tricks up its sleeve if they were applied for medical use. And considering how much suffering this parasite has caused, it is a nice thought to think that humanity might get some benefit out of it beyond simply stopping the cycle of pain.
- greglindahl 8y agoThey're currently sequencing the hell out of it to figure out why it's attacking dogs and what they can do about that.
- Baeocystin 8y agoGlad to hear it, and I hope they come up with a canine solution with speed.
- HarryHirsch 8y agoThe parasite evolved to attack dogs, unfortunately, so there 500 cases of dracunculiasis in dogs were reported in Chad in 2015. So there's a new reservoir. Still, there is hope.