*WARNING: graphic details in this blog* 2 diseases threatening the Ghanaian population: Elephantitis & Guinea Worm Infestation

I have to plead ignorance when it comes to me discussing these 2 very real and life-threatening diseases that have the potential to affect any Ghanaian-- or African for that matter.

I only came to learn of the diseases while passing some of the many beggar's in Accra and literally turning my head at some men that had shockingly huge, thick legs-- & on a man whose frame was about the size of my brother's.

I couldn't believe it and had to take a longer look... until my eyes met with the eyes of the man having to struggle with legs like this.

Then my heart began to hurt.

I asked my Ghanaian brother/driver for HelpAge Ghana, Nat what happened...

he explained to me that the man who had all the folds of skin and what looked like mould on top of it, was suffering from 'elephantitis', and that the man in the wheel chair with the bandage wrapped around his oozing foot had 'guinea worm infestation'.

Just the names alone made me feel ill, and yet I yearned to know more.

I will share with you what I know... but if you get weak in the stomach from graphic details, just go to my next blog.

Please & thank you.

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I will begin with Elephantitis.

Lymphatic Filiarisis (elephantiasis or elephantitis) is a thread-like filarial worm passed from person to person through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once inside the body of an unsuspecting person, the worm thrives in the lymph vessels and tissues. As it grows, it causes marked swelling of the limbs and other extremities.

The word “elephantitis” describes the enlargement of the arms, legs or genitals to extreme sizes. It happens as a results of the parasitic infection caused by round worms which actually block the body’s lymphatic system and therefore force the fluid to collect in the tissue which start to swell up to gigantic sizes. The swollen limb resembles a big elephant foot- either in size, colour or texture. There are a few known causes of Elephantitis, but the most responsible agents are filarial worms found in tropical and subtropical regions.
Elephantiasis is a skin disease that is most common in the tropics. It gets its name because the affected skin becomes rough and thickened, usually resembling that of an elephant. Mosquitoes carry the worm. When the mosquito bites, the worm enters the body and eventually lodges in the lymph vessels. A less common form of elephantiasis is caused by the streptococcus bacterium.
Elephantiasis is characterized by fever, roughening of the skin, and swelling of a part of the body, often the leg. There usually is a series of attacks, each increasing the swelling of the affected part. The disease is curable in early stages. However, once the part becomes permanently enlarged, there is no known cure. Drugs and surgery may give relief.

Still with me here?

Onto guinea worm then...

Guinea worm takes on a different form being caused by simply drinking contaminated water, which is polluted with the larvae of the guinea worm parasite.

Humans acquire the infestation by drinking water infected with guinea worm larvas. The larvas penetrate the upper gastrointestinal tract and remain in the peritoneal space for up to three months. The female worm bores holes through the body and makes its way to the surface; holes may be anywhere on the body but they are usually on the legs and feet. At this stage millions of eggs, embryos, and first stage larvas occupy most of the worm's body cavity. A blister forms on the skin of the host at the anterior end of the worm and erupts. The female worm then protrudes its anterior end from the ulcer and releases first stage larvas into the water. Upon emergence the Dracunculus medinensis parasite can be up to a metre long.
Immersing the affected skin into water provides some relief from the pain the infestation causes. The temperature change causes the blister to erupt, exposing the worm. People, having no choice, drink the newly infested water, ingest the worm, and the entire cycle begins again; it is possible to have more than one worm at a time. The worm has to be physically extruded, usually by winding it round a matchstick a few turns a day. The worm has to be physically extruded, usually by winding it round a matchstick a few turns a day. A blunt probe is used to separate the worm from connective tissues and to lift out a section of the worm that is sufficiently long enough to grasp with the fingers. This is an excruciatingly painful procedure. Gentle traction and firm massage along the limb towards the incision facilitates removal. When the entire worm cannot be removed at once, it is ligated, rolled on to a piece of gauze, and taped down and the wound dressed until the next session. It usually takes several weeks for the worm to completely exit the body.

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Thanks for bearing with me... I know the details in this entry are incredibly graphic and sickening.

But remember...

this IS someone's reality. This is an actual disease threatening to claim the lives of the countless hosts it lives within.

And all they did... the only thing the victims did to bring this on...

for elephantitis we read, is they got bit by a mosquito.

And for guinea worm, all they did was drink unclean water.

And isn't drinking water (whether clean or unclean) a basic necessity of life? And how random is getting bit by a mosquito? And how likely is it that the mosquito bite could have been prevented with insecticide or a net, when more than likely the one suffering from the bite is living in abject poverty and is more worried about their next meal?

This is the perfect opportunity for us to stop looking at the crisis/gap between developing countries & developed ones, as a battle of 'us' vs. 'them'. Couldn't these very diseases not potentially plague us, should we continue to spiral out of control when it comes to depleting our precious environment?

I promise you-- after seeing these men while driving through Accra, I prayed to God everyday that neither one of these infestations plague me or any more of our brothers and sisters across the globe.

It is perhaps by fate or God's rich and bountiful blessings that I myself, have never had to know this type of unfair pain... and I pray you acknowledge your own blessing from this in that same way, while helping me pray for those already suffering.