Elephantiasis stalks Bekasi

Elephantiasis stalks Bekasi

BEKASI: At least 33 residents of Bekasi are suffering from
elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), a condition that can lead
to the dramatic swelling of the legs, arms and genitals, the
director of infectious disease surveillance at the Bekasi Health
Agency, Yasni, revealed on Wednesday.

"They are now receiving medical treatment for free," he was
quoted as saying by Antara.

The patients hail from Jatisampurna, Pondokgede and Bekasi
Timur districts, he added.

The condition is caused by filaria worms, which are found in
tropical and subtropical climates. The worm larvae are
transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. No cure had been found
yet, but annual injections for up to 10 years can ease the
condition.

"We would call on residents to clean up their surroundings and
to use mosquito nets in their bedrooms or mosquito repellent,"
Yasni said. -- JP