Mathematical Models of Guinea Worm Disease Eradication: A Review.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Mathematical Models of Guinea Worm Disease Eradication: A Review.
Authors:	Gonzalez Engelhard, Cesar A.¹, Spears, Paul K.², Hodgkins, Allison P.³, Rychtář, Jan⁴ rychtarj@vcu.edu, Pearl, Essence E.⁵, Taylor, Dewey⁴
Source:	UMAP Journal. 2023, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p39-62. 24p.
Subject Terms:	Disease eradication, Mathematical models, Neglected diseases, Worms, Helminths
Abstract:	Guinea-worm disease (GWD) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Dracunculus medinensis. In 1988, the Carter Center launched the campaign to eradicate the disease. The global campaign has been very successful, bringing the world-wide number of GWD cases down from 3.5 million in 1986 to low double digits in 2015 and thereafter. However, GWD now shows a peculiar pattern and is resurfacing again: not in humans, but mostly in dogs and other animals. Moreover, despite the fact that mathematical modeling is a standard and indispensable tool for NTDs elimination efforts, there are fewer than ten models of GWD. In this paper, we review most of those models and illustrate their basic assumptions and modeling techniques. We demonstrate that as the understanding of the Guinea worm biology evolved, so did the mathematical models. We also point out to what is still missing in all of these GWD models and discuss potential future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

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Abstract:	Guinea-worm disease (GWD) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Dracunculus medinensis. In 1988, the Carter Center launched the campaign to eradicate the disease. The global campaign has been very successful, bringing the world-wide number of GWD cases down from 3.5 million in 1986 to low double digits in 2015 and thereafter. However, GWD now shows a peculiar pattern and is resurfacing again: not in humans, but mostly in dogs and other animals. Moreover, despite the fact that mathematical modeling is a standard and indispensable tool for NTDs elimination efforts, there are fewer than ten models of GWD. In this paper, we review most of those models and illustrate their basic assumptions and modeling techniques. We demonstrate that as the understanding of the Guinea worm biology evolved, so did the mathematical models. We also point out to what is still missing in all of these GWD models and discuss potential future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	01973622