Question
Cyclops
Answer
Cyclops is a genus of small, free-living freshwater crustaceans (copepods), medically important as the obligate intermediate host for Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) and certain other parasites (e.g., first intermediate host for Diphyllobothrium latum, the fish tapeworm).
Role in the Dracunculus medinensis life cycle: larvae released into fresh water from an infected human’s ruptured skin blister are ingested by Cyclops; within the copepod, larvae develop over ~2 weeks into infective third-stage larvae — humans become infected by drinking water containing these infected copepods.
Control significance: water filtration (fine cloth mesh removing Cyclops), use of protected water sources, and larvicidal treatment of ponds are central to Guinea worm eradication programmes.