Dragon nematode appeared in Chengdu?

The disease control department has reported it, entomologist: it needs to be collected for entity identification to confirm

　　Recently, some netizens said that dragon worms appeared in Chengdu, and released related videos.

In the video, the white, noodle-like nematodes can be seen swimming in the water.

　　It is understood that the dragon nematode is an invasive alien species, first seen in Guinea and rare in China.

Is it really a dragon worm in the video?

How should we protect?

Is it dragon nematode?

Need physical sampling to confirm, does not rule out iron nematode albino

　　As soon as the video suspected to have captured the dragon nematode was released, it attracted much attention.

Many netizens are worried that this is a species invasion, so many people leave a message under the video: "Quickly report it!" And the poster of the video said: "It has been reported, trembling."

　　Is it a real dragon worm?

The Red Star News reporter contacted Zhao Li, an entomologist who has been engaged in insect research for more than 20 years and curator of the Chengdu Huaxi Insect Museum.

"I've seen the video, and I guess it's the nematodes parasitized by the praying mantis or Orthoptera that entered the water." Zhao Li told reporters that this season, the mantis has just matured, and the nematodes parasitized in the mantis have also entered the mature stage. They release some chemicals that make the mantis feel thirsty and actively seek water. Once the mantis touches the water, they burrow out of the mantis and enter the water to prepare for reproduction.

　　Nematoda is one of the largest phyla in the animal kingdom. There are nearly 30,000 known species of nematodes, and a large number of them have not yet been named.

　　Therefore, in Zhao Li's view, there are many types of this taxa, and it is difficult to confirm the type and source by video alone. Further investigation must be done, at least by collecting entities for identification before they can be confirmed.

"The iron nematodes parasitic in mantises or orthoptera also have the same color and shape in the video." Zhao Li added that most iron nematodes are dark brown, but it is not ruled out that individual body color mutates into white. Albinism is a relatively common phenomenon in the animal kingdom.

How to protect?

Do not drink the stream water, it may be the eggs or larvae of nematodes

　　It is reported that patients with dracunculiasis will have symptoms such as fever, nausea, pain in both lower extremities, rashes, blisters, and ulcers. Very few patients involving the central nervous system can cause paraplegia.

There is currently no effective treatment for the disease, and removal of the parasite is the only reliable method at present.

In addition, the corresponding drugs can be given to relieve symptoms, or symptomatic treatment.

　　How should it be protected?

Zhao Li suggested that generally do not drink water in the natural environment, nematodes generally enter the human body through drinking water.

Sterilized water, like tap water, is fine.

At the same time, do not drink directly from the stream that looks relatively clear.

In the water in the natural environment, the eggs or larvae of nematodes may be difficult to detect with the naked eye.

　　In addition, the Red Star News reporter learned that the Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention have the relevant information and have reported the information to the higher authorities.

A little more news:

　　Dragon nematodes, nematodes, dragon nematodes, large nematodes parasitic in the deep part of mammals, first seen in Guinea, so commonly known as "guinea worms".

Dracunculus medinensis is more common in tropical and subtropical regions, and the most common is Dracunculus medinensis, which can parasitize the human body.

The pregnant females move from the deep part of the host to the subcutaneous skin of the feet or the back of the neck, forming blisters and ulcers.

Whenever the affected part is immersed in water, the head of the worm protrudes out to release the larvae, and the head of the worm retracts into the skin when it leaves the water.

The larvae become mature after being swallowed by Daphnia daphnia, and humans or animals will be infected by drinking water, resulting in dracunculiasis.

　　Red Star News reporter Lin Cong Wang Tuo