Loiasis

Loiasis is a skin and eye disease caused by the nematode worm, loa loa filaria. Humans contract this disease through the bite of a horsefly. The deer fly and the mango fly are also vectors for Loa loa. The disease can cause red itchy swellings below the skin called Calabar swellings.

Highly endemic foci presumably persist in southern rain forest and swamp forest areas. All travellers should take measures to prevent insect bites.



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