Problematic Parasites

Dracunculus (long worm)

Dracunculus: The Dracunculus is a long worm( sometimes up to a meter long) that infests humans and causes an intense burning pain as it emerges from the skin of its host. The worm infects the human, then alters their hosts behaviors by making them suit the reproductive cycle of the worm. The worm causes a blister to form on the host and if the host goes into water and the blister bursts, this will cause the reproductive larvae to escape and go into the water, awaiting its next host. The worm needs a human to reproduce, so if no human is ever affected by the parasite, then it will eliminate the parasite and stop it from reproducing. In 2011, only for countries in the world had recorded cases of Dranculus and they are; Ghana, Sudan, Ethiopia and Mali. This parasite will be eliminated in a few years as there is know knowledge to stop the spreading of the worm. 

Naegleria Fowleri

Naegleria Fowleri: This is a deadly disease caused by single celled amoeba that attacks the human nervous system. The parasite is usually found in warm bodies of fresh water, such as ponds, lakes and rivers. The harmful amoeba has a 98% mortality rate, making it one of the most deadly parasites in the world. Although the spreading of the parasite happens rarely, it is still a feared disease by many people. The parasite usually enters through the nose, invading the central nervous system and shutting down the body. The initial symptoms of the infection are; change in taste, smell, vomiting, nausea and fever. After the starting symptoms, the disease then progresses rapidly over the next three to four days, resulting in death 12 days after the first exposure. If the parasite becomes more contagious it could wipe out an entire civilization because of its high mortality rate.

Cordyceps: The Cordycep is a deadly parasite that belongs to the family of fungi. The vector is usually an insect, but some types of cordyceps can use a fungi as its host. Once the parasite infects its host, it goes to the brain and changes the ants behaviour. It usually makes the host go to a place where there is no source of food so the vector dies. Once the host is dead, the parasite begins to get out of their body by growing out of their vectors, usually out of their heads. The parasite can take three weeks to completely grow out of the host. When the parasite has reached its full length, the deadly spores will burst from the tip of the parasite. The spores scatter, awaiting their next host. Any insect near the infected area, has a high risk of getting the parasite, making the cordycep a deadly disease throughout the world. The cordycep is mainly found throughout Russia, Australia, Asia, North America and Europe. The cordycep will continue to be a threat to all insects and in the low possibility of it mutating and affecting humans, it will lead into a pandemic, with a high chance of killing us all. 

Anopheles Mosquito

Malaria: One of the worlds most known and contagious parasites, Malaria kills two to three thousand people each day. Even though this disease kills so many people each day, it is rarely fatal, with only a 10% mortality rate. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and no other animal can pass this on. The signs and symptoms of malaria usually start eight to twenty-five days after the first infection. Symptoms include back pain, headache, vomiting, fever and shivering. The parasite is so contagious and feared throughout the world because it is so easy to be infected by the mosquito. The cases of Malaria have died down over the years, as scientists have developed cures and ways of preventing the disease. In the areas that are have a high risk of getting malaria, mosquito nets are put up each night to stop the mosquitoes from getting in and infecting people. Some other ways to prevent the disease are mosquito elimination (chemicals to kill the mosquitoes are sprayed around the area) medications and mosquito prevention (wearing long sleeve clothes to stop the mosquito form biting you). Malaria will die down in the next few years, but it will never be gone completely, because there are still so many mosquitoes with the disease still around. 

Vandellia Cirrhosa: Vandellia Cirrhosa, also known as the Candiru, is a pencil catfish found in Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru.  The catfish enters the body through the human urethra that are urinating underwater. The parasite then eats away at the humans insides. This happens very rarely, but it is still a feared parasite around rivers and lakes in the countries that are affected by it. Its prime hosts are usually other fish. The parasite enters through the gills of the fish and sucks the blood from within the gill chamber. The fish is usually 2.5 cm long, making it easy to get into the gills of the fish and suck the blood from within. The catfish has short sharp spines on its body that it can damage the skin of the fish to suck the blood. The parasite is not a huge threat to humans and wont be in the coming years, but it can effect any fish or human nearby, making it a feared and painful parasite. 

Vandellia Cirrhosa