Ancylostomiasis

Dr Paul T Francis, MD

Community Medicine

College of Medicine, Zawia

Mouth of an Hookworm

Hooks in the mouth

Mouth of a Hookworm

Ancylostomiasis

Is an important public health problem in the world

It is a very rare disease in Libya

Epidemiological features

Reservoir – Man Infective material – feces containing ova Source of infection – soil containing larvae Occupation – common in farmers

Hookworms in the intestine

Mouth of a Hookworm

Epidemiological factors

Mode of transmission – larvae enter the body by penetrating the skin

Human habits – open air defecation, walking bare feet (without shoes/sandal), using untreated sewage for irrigation leads to spread of disease

Hookworm larvae under the skin

Public health importance

Hookworm lives in the intestine of humans and drink blood

It leads to Iron deficiency anemia Iron deficiency anemia leads to poor health,

inability to work, increased risk to infection, low birth weight etc.

Prevention and control

Primary prevention Sanitary disposal of excreta Health education Proper treatment of sewage before using for

irrigation Secondary prevention

Early diagnosis and treatment