Workshop “Dracunculus in Vietnam and Prevention”

The workshop was attended by delegates from the Central Tropical Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital; representatives of the Department of Health , the Provincial Center for Disease Control, the Provincial General Hospital and the Medical Centers of the provinces: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa.

Conference scene.

At the workshop, lecturers from WHO and the Central Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology introduced the disease of dragon worm; the current situation of dragon worm disease in Vietnam; activities to prevent and control dragon worm disease that have been implemented in Vietnam; and discussed the national action plan to prevent and control the disease in Vietnam.

Dr. Tran Quang Phuc, Deputy Director of the Central Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology spoke at the workshop.

Dr. Magafu Mgaywa, WHO expert in Vietnam, spoke at the workshop.

It is known that after more than two decades of being certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a country free of dragon worm disease, Vietnam has recorded the reappearance of this dangerous parasite with 25 cases from 2020 to present, of which Lao Cai has 2 cases. Notably, the research results of the Central Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology on the relationship between demographic factors and dragon worm disease in 3 provinces with patients showed that all patients were male, mainly ethnic minorities and had the habit of drinking raw water; eating raw, raw meat of caught animals such as fish, frogs, toads, snakes. Patients all had symptoms such as fever, dizziness, digestive disorders, pain, burning, discharge and worm heads from swollen nodules. All patients were cured after being treated at medical facilities.

Image of dragon worm parasite.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease, if not properly cared for, infected wounds can lead to abscesses and cause quite common disabilities. At the workshop, medical experts also gave recommendations on proactive disease prevention measures: eat cooked food, drink boiled water, do not consume raw or undercooked food; maintain personal hygiene and protect the environment, especially water sources, waste and food; do not use fresh manure to fertilize vegetables or raise animals; kill intermediate insects such as flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches to limit the spread of parasites.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/hoi-thao-benh-giun-rong-do-dracunculus-tai-viet-nam-va-cach-phong-chong-post399951.html