Loiasis
Loiasis disease is caused by the
eye worm known as loa loa. Loa Loa is a parasite that lives in humans.
Infected Deer Fly bite when comes in contact with human with their bite
the infection is trasmitted to humans. The larvae of the worm enter the bloodstream and later develop
into adult worms.
The insect vector
(that carries the parasite) is the deer fly Chrysops which lives in
swampy areas of the forest, principally in the Congo River region,
Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Symptoms
-
Symptoms may not appear for months or years after the
bite of the fly.
-
Local
inflammatory reactions called Calabar swellings.
-
migrates across the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye
( eye warm ).
-
Enters the brain causing
encephalitis
The microfilaria
(tiny thread-like) form of the worm is found in blood and lymphatic
fluid during the day and in the lungs at night.
Diagnosis
detection of
the microfilariae in the blood.
Protective measures
Avoid fly bite by
using repellent, use long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use bed nets when sleeping.
Treatment
