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