**Question:** All of the following statements regarding Dracunculiasis are true except -

A. Dracunculiasis is caused by the filarial parasite, Onchocerca volvulus
B. Dracunculiasis is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water
C. Dracunculiasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the consumption of infected animals
D. Dracunculiasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum

**Core Concept:**
Dracunculiasis, also known as guinea worm disease, is a parasitic disease caused by the consumption of contaminated water containing the free-living larvae of the filarial parasite, Dirofilaria repens or Dracunculus medinensis. The infection occurs when the larvae penetrate the skin of the human host upon ingesting contaminated water. Dracunculiasis is not caused by the protozoan parasites like Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria, or the filarial parasites related to Onchocerca volvulus, which causes onchocerciasis (river blindness).

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is D, as Dracunculiasis is caused by the filarial parasite Dirofilaria repens or Dracunculus medinensis, not by Plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for malaria. Dracunculiasis is transmitted through the ingestion of infected water containing the larvae, whereas Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite causing malaria, transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Dracunculiasis is caused by Dirofilaria repens or Dracunculus medinensis, not Onchocerca volvulus, which is responsible for onchocerciasis (river blindness). Onchocerciasis is transmitted through the bite of infected blackflies, not through ingesting contaminated water.

B. Dracunculiasis is caused by the filarial parasite, not protozoa like Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

C. Guinea worm disease is caused by Dirofilaria repens or Dracunculus medinensis, not by consuming infected animals. Dracunculiasis is transmitted through ingesting contaminated water, not through contact with infected animals. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is caused by Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted through the bite of infected blackflies, not through consuming contaminated water.

**Clinical Pearl:**
Guinea worm disease, also known as Dracunculiasis, is a preventable and treatable parasitic disease caused by ingesting contaminated water. The infection occurs when the larvae of Dirofilaria repens or Dracunculus medinensis penetrate the skin after contact with contaminated water and migrate to the subcutaneous tissue, where they grow and