Prevalence and Incidence of Dracunculiasis

Ophanet, who are a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when if affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Dracunculiasis as a "rare disease". More information about Dracunculiasis is available from Orphanet

Worldwide prevalence of Dracunculiasis:

In 1998, 78,338 cases of Guinea worm were reported. Most of those cases were from Sudan where the ongoing civil war makes it impossible to eradicate the disease. All affected countries (Source: excerpt from Dracunculiasis: DPD)

Prevelance of Dracunculiasis discussion:

Since 1986, when an estimated 3.5 million people were infected, an international campaign was established to eliminate the disease. In 1995 the total number of people infected in the world had dropped to about 130,000, <4% of the total in 1986. (Source: excerpt from Facts About Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease): CDC-OC)

Worldwide incidence of Dracunculiasis:

78,338 cases in 1998 worldwide (DPD)

About prevalence and incidence statistics:

The term 'prevalence' of Dracunculiasis usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Dracunculiasis at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Dracunculiasis refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Dracunculiasis diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.

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