Dracunculus

"Dracunculus"
This condition stems from becoming infected with a parasitic worm, Dracunculus. This leads to debilitation of the body, paralysis and eventual painful death.

Transmission & Vectors

Ingestion of water or eating flesh contaminated with Dracunculus Medinensis parasitic worm.

Causes

Female worms emerge from the hosts skin and release their larvae into the water. The larva are then ingested into new hosts. Anything drinking the water or eating the hosts will become infected.

Symptoms

Slight fever, itchy rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, dizziness, followed by formation of painful blister (typically on lower body parts). Eventually worms may burst from the skin to seek new hosts. Results in:
-1 Str, -1 Cons, -1 Cha per week

Treatment

Treatment is available from a healer, cleric, or apothecary to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Recovery occurs in about a week.

Prognosis

Conditions will continue to worsen over time with affects becoming more drastic and wide spread. May eventually cause paralysis and eventual death if left untreated.

Affected Groups

All creatures are subject to possible infection.

Hosts & Carriers

Any animal drinking or eating from the infected water can potentially carry the disease.

Prevention

Boiling of water and thorough cooking should kill the parasite, but not always.

Epidemiology

Not considered contagious. Those infected can also contaminate clean water by being immersed in it for a period of time and any subsequent visitors may be subject to becoming infected from the newly contaminated water.

History

Cases of Dracunculus are rare but concentrated in and around swamps, mashes, fens, and stagnant water areas.

Cultural Reception

Reactions to the infected usually range from concern to avoidance, but local healers generally know of remedies and will help out the infected as there is little risk for contagion. People usually have more of an issue with where the infected person was and why they were there. Especially since it is strange for a "normal" person to be out in the fetid areas.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare