Transmission of Filariasis
The transmission of filarial worms involves a complex life cycle that includes both human hosts and mosquito vectors. The process of transmission is as follows:
- The filarial worms reside and reproduce inside the humans.
- When a mosquito bites the infected human the larvae called microfilariae is also sucked in by the mosquitoes along with the blood.
- This larvae grow in the stomach of the mosquito for 10-14 days.
- Once the larvae has covered up this growth period and become infective, they migrate to the salivary glands of the mosquito.
- This mosquito bites a healthy person and transmits the larvae to his blood stream.
- These microfilariae now migrate to the lymphatic system, or other regions of the body where they could infect.
- Once established into the human body the larvae grow up into adult and reproduce. In the same way the cycle goes on.
What Is Filariasis? – Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis
Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by some species of nematodes belonging to Filarioidea. This disease is vector-borne and is spread by mosquitoes and black flies. Wuchereria bancrofti is the most famous causal organism of the disease. Filariasis is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and Central and South America. The disease is a significant public health concern, and efforts to control and eliminate the disease involve a combination of vector control, drug administration, and health education.
Table of Content
- What is Filariasis?
- The Causal Organisms of Filariasis
- Transmission of Filariasis
- Symptoms of Filariasis
- Diagnosis of Filariasis
- Treatment of Filariasis
- Prevention of Filariasis
- Conclusion