Elephantiasis is endemic in Nigeria, with 2 out of 3 people at risk

The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has declared that two out of every three Nigerians are at risk of being infected with the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) disease, commonly known as Elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and other parts of the body. Mr. Chukwu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Fatimah Bamidele, disclosed this in Abuja at the National Conference to Stop Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Malaria in Nigeria. Noting the vector for this disease is the mosquito, which is endemic across the nation, the Minister explained that Nigeria is ranked the third highest nation with global burden of lymphatic filariasis after India and Indonesia. “LF and Malaria are parasitic diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes; they are endemic in all states and the FCT.” “Nigeria is ranked the third highest global burden of lymphatic filariasis after India and Indonesia” he said. “Over a 100 million persons, that is two out of every three Nigerians are at risk of the disease” stated the Minister of Health, adding that “the LF prevalence studies indicate that 13 states have high prevalence rate of about 23 per cent, while the rest have prevalence rate of about 10 per cent.”