Why Does Elephantiasis Usually Occur In Tropical Areas

Submitted By rerai
Words: 401
Pages: 2

a) Why does elephantiasis usually occur in tropical areas?
Elephantiasis is transmitted via mosquito and mosquitos live in a tropical areas as they need water for reproduction and warm temperature to be active, hence, elephantiasis only occur in tropical areas.
b) Why does a blockage of the lymph vessel cause swelling of the tissues?
The lymph vessel drains all the fluid from tissues throughout the body and when there is a blockage the lymph vessel cannot drain the fluid which causes the swelling of the tissues.
c) Explain how drug treatment is likely to control the spread of this disease?
The drug given to the infected person would not kill the adult worms however; it will prevent the worms to reproduce and the spread to other people. The parasites that cause elephantiasis have bacteria (Wolbachia) living inside the worm. When the bacteria itself are killed by the antibiotic, the worm will also die. Drugs could also use to kill the mosquitos to prevent it from carrying and spreading the disease.
d) In some communities more than 20% of the population are infected with the parasite. How would you determine which individuals are infected?
You can determine this by looking at their skin. The infected individuals would have skin or tissue thickening especially in the legs and male genitals.
e) People living in slum areas are particularly vulnerable to this disease. Explain why this is so.
This is because slum areas are more exposed and not protected against mosquitos. The climate is also moister and there are lots of puddles which allow mosquitos to breed