AN ANCIENT SCOURGE: THE END OF DRACUNCULIASIS IN EGYPT

摘要: This paper addresses the question of when guinea worm disease was last found in Egypt, and how written sources from nineteenth twentieth centuries which mention should be evaluated. enquiry is relevant to global eradication campaign now progress, need for countries dracunculiasis once present prepare a certification eradication. Sudan, country has largest number cases today, Egypt's southern neighbour. Because nature (in endemic areas it most common among poor, rural people), may not have come attention urban-based health personnel. In period before details transmission cycle were known, attitudes mindsets physicians travellers also taken into account interpreting reports disease. An examination documentary European languages does show any clear evidence Egypt during that period. Cases noted especially by much quoted Dr Clot Bey 1820s, likely originated beyond borders country, Sudan and, lesser extent, Middle East. However, many later commentators merely repeated what had written. A further difficulty some published apparently concern actually refer animals rather than humans.