Guinea worm disease (Dracontiasis) was once a significant public health problem in Tamil Nadu, particularly in rural areas where unprotected water sources such as step wells and ponds facilitated the transmission of the disease. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the epidemiology, control, and eventual eradication of the disease in Tamil Nadu, focusing on the governmental and public health measures undertaken from the 1950s through the 1980s. The disease, caused by the parasite Drancunculus medinensis, primarily affected rural communities, with transmission occurring through water fleas (Cyclops) found in contaminated water sources. The endemic areas in Tamil Nadu included the districts of South Arcot, Tiruchirappalli, and North Arcot, where the disease was hyper-endemic, and districts like Madurai, Salem, and Coimbatore, where it was moderately endemic. Key control measures like chemical treatments using D.D.T. and bleaching powder, and biological methods like introducing cyclopscidal fishes, were implemented to reduce the Cyclops population in water sources. Public health education and constructing protected water sources played an essential role in interrupting the transmission cycle. The statewide Guinea worm Eradication Programme, initiated in 1959, significantly reduced disease prevalence. By 1982, Tamil Nadu was declared free of Guinea worm disease, a success attributed to the collaboration between government agencies and international organizations like the WHO and UNICEF. This paper highlights the lessons learned from the eradication efforts, emphasizing the importance of safe drinking water, public health education, and sustained surveillance. The eradication of Guinea worm disease from Tamil Nadu serves as a model for other public health campaigns and is considered a major milestone in India’s fight against communicable diseases.
BT - Indian Journal of History of Science DO - 10.1007/s43539-025-00161-8 LA - eng M3 - Research Article N2 -Guinea worm disease (Dracontiasis) was once a significant public health problem in Tamil Nadu, particularly in rural areas where unprotected water sources such as step wells and ponds facilitated the transmission of the disease. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the epidemiology, control, and eventual eradication of the disease in Tamil Nadu, focusing on the governmental and public health measures undertaken from the 1950s through the 1980s. The disease, caused by the parasite Drancunculus medinensis, primarily affected rural communities, with transmission occurring through water fleas (Cyclops) found in contaminated water sources. The endemic areas in Tamil Nadu included the districts of South Arcot, Tiruchirappalli, and North Arcot, where the disease was hyper-endemic, and districts like Madurai, Salem, and Coimbatore, where it was moderately endemic. Key control measures like chemical treatments using D.D.T. and bleaching powder, and biological methods like introducing cyclopscidal fishes, were implemented to reduce the Cyclops population in water sources. Public health education and constructing protected water sources played an essential role in interrupting the transmission cycle. The statewide Guinea worm Eradication Programme, initiated in 1959, significantly reduced disease prevalence. By 1982, Tamil Nadu was declared free of Guinea worm disease, a success attributed to the collaboration between government agencies and international organizations like the WHO and UNICEF. This paper highlights the lessons learned from the eradication efforts, emphasizing the importance of safe drinking water, public health education, and sustained surveillance. The eradication of Guinea worm disease from Tamil Nadu serves as a model for other public health campaigns and is considered a major milestone in India’s fight against communicable diseases.
PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC PY - 2025 T2 - Indian Journal of History of Science TI - Eradication of Guinea worm disease in Tamil Nadu: a comprehensive review of public health efforts and success UR - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43539-025-00161-8#citeas SN - 0019-5235, 2454-9991 ER -