The World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over the weekend launched a campaign aimed at detecting and eliminating Guinea worm diseases in the country.

The campaign aims to enable DR Congo to be certified as a country where the disease has been effectively eradicated, according to health authorities.

Rewards will be given to participants in the campaign, according to WHO representative in DR Congo, Allarangar Yokouide.

"The reward system that was adopted will enhance participation of the population so that if there is any case of Guinea worm disease in any region, it can be detected," said Yokouide.

According to Yokouide, the surveillance system is necessary for eliminating cases of Guinea worm disease, which could be existing in certain parts of the country.

Yokouide said all collected data would be entered into a report for international experts to determine the end of the disease in DR Congo.

Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea-worm disease, is an infection caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, or Guinea worm. It is spread by drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae.

Source: Xinhua