Filaria

The filaria (Wuchereria bancrofti), also known as elephantiasis, is a disease caused by a parasitic nematode worm that lymphatic vessels of the human being.

The life cycle of invertebrate pathogenic occurs with the use of two hosts: initially through a vector (the mosquito of the genus Culex hematophagous), that by biting the man infective larvae enter the bloodstream.

These larvae develop into adult worms, each about 10 inches long, migrating to the lymphatic system (lymph nodes), where they live and breed. The proliferation can clog the ducts of the lymphatic system, lymph and retaining causing edema.

The eggs deposited become microfilariae that spread to the blood vessels, dispelling to various organs (muscles and serous cavities
Transmission, Symptoms and Control Measures
Transmission occurs when an infected person is bitten by a mosquito sucking blood from the microfilariae, transmitted to others, restarting the cycle.
Symptoms and Control Measures
Symptom: swelling of the upper and lower limbs (arms and legs mostly) and can reach the scrotum and breasts.

Control measures: fight the mosquito vector, using screens on windows and doors of homes, using repellents and treatment of infected individuals.