Elephantiasis is transmitted by a mosquito. The female bites an infected person, sucks in the blood and transmits the parasite to a healthy person’s bloodstream by another bite. Once the parasites, which we could call minute worms, are in the human blood, they multiply into the millions, causing fever and extreme enlargement of the lymphatics. Given time, the limbs may enlarge to the extent that they are two or three times their normal size. In fact, the disease got its peculiar name from this condition, for the legs come to resemble elephants’ legs in their bulk. But it is no laughing matter: elephantiasis is a sad affliction and one that is difficult to cure successfully.
I have also heard from doctors specialising in tropical diseases that malaria has not yet been fully eradicated in all parts of Sri Lanka. It is therefore advisable to sleep under a mosquito net and to take preventative medicines. There is, however, no danger in the mountainous areas of Sri Lanka where the strikingly beautiful tea plantations are to be found. Yes, tropical countries and islands might present an especially exciting and tempting attraction and no doubt offer plenty of beauty, yet caution is definitely called for because of the unknown dangers. As I have said before, I would not recommend a tropical vacation to just anyone; weak, sickly and especially older people should not even think about visiting the tropics.
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