The neglected tropical disease is spread by infected mosquitoes whose bites deposit a parasite that travels to the lymph nodes. It affects the lymphatic system causing swelling and pain in the legs, arms and genitalia. It also increases the risk of frequent bacterial infections that harden and thicken the skin.
Elephantiasis infections in Iganga have more than doubled in the last five years. 70 cases have been reported in the district out of a population of 533,900 people. In the five years before the new infections, less than 10 people had been infected with Elephantiasis in Iganga district from a population of 400,000 people.
