Mosquitoes also carry lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis. The disease has affected
more than one hundred twenty million people. One-third of those infected live in India. Another third
are in Africa. The others live in South Asia or islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Mosquito bites spread the worms that cause elephantiasis. People usually begin to develop the
disease as children. Many children never experience signs of the disease. But it may cause hidden
damage to the body's lymphatic system and kidneys.
The worst signs of elephantiasis appear in adults. The signs are more common in men than in
women. These include damage to the arms, legs and reproductive organs. Two drugs are effective in
treating the disease.