Many people have rare dragon worms
Associate Professor, Dr. Do Trung Dung, Head of the Department of Parasitology, Central Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - insects, said that emerging and re-emerging parasitic diseases are on the rise in Vietnam, including rare diseases such as drug worm infections.
From 2020 to the end of 2024, Vietnam has recorded 24 cases of dragon worm infections in 5 provinces of Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa and Lao Cai, while globally, there are only about 14 cases per year, mainly appearing in some countries in Africa.
A typical example is the case of a 48-year-old male patient in Hoa Binh City, who has not traveled abroad or worked far away, has a habit of eating fish salad, raw vegetables and has had a family raising dogs for many years. 20 years ago, the patient drank tap water from the stream while going to the forest. More than a year ago, the patient had symptoms of itching in areas such as the left knee, right thigh and back, was diagnosed with allergic dermatitis and treated with topical medication.
After that, the patient discovered a white band under the skin when the scales were cracked in the left knee, pulled it out 10-15 cm and cut it off. After being examined at Hoa Binh General Hospital and tested, the patient was diagnosed with canine and cat disease. However, after examination at Dang Van Ngu Hospital, the patient was determined to be infected with dragon worm.
Patient T.D.T, 21 years old in Yen Bai, came to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases with symptoms of itching all over the body, fever, dizziness, redness and rash. Under his skin, there are parasitic worms moving. He said that he had eaten fish salad before and had symptoms of itching, especially in the buttocks, causing scratches and pus.
Doctor Le Van Thieu - Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases - diagnosed: Patient T is suspected of having dragon worm infection and determined to have Dracunculus sp infection. Damages include redness, pus, and worms moving under the skin, especially in the thighs, forearms, and back. After consultation, the patient was treated and a worm sample about 30 cm long was taken.
Doctor Thieu said that the only treatment is to remove the worms, possibly by stealing them away through the damage or receiving medical support. If not handled promptly, worms can cause abscesses. There is currently no specific medicine or vaccine for dragon worm, which can only treat symptoms, so early detection and treatment are very important.
Unpredictable disease
According to Associate Professor Dung, dragon worms enter the digestive tract through raw food or drinking water contaminated with Larvae, usually fish, frog, shrimp, or shrimp in dirty water.
A special thing is that the time from worm infection to symptoms is about 12 months, during which the patient does not have obvious symptoms. Patients often have mild fever, itching, nausea, and diarrhea. When the worms grow, they move under the skin, causing redness, pain and rashes.
The return of dragon worms in Vietnam after more than 20 years has caused experts to warn people, especially in mountainous areas, to raise awareness of disease prevention.
Associate Professor Do Trung Dung believes that changing eating habits is a key factor in preventing parasites. People should eat cooked, drink boiled water, do not eat raw, garlic, stewed soup, raw stream fish, and uncooked frog. In addition, it is necessary to keep the environment clean, treat waste properly, do not use fresh fertilizer to fertilize vegetables or raise free-range cattle.
