This disease can make your limbs look like the legs of an elephant Name Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis Transmission An infectious tropical disease caused by three types of filarial parasites (thread-like roundworms) These microscopic worms live in the lymphatic system for an average of 5–8 years and disrupt the immune system Mosquitoes transmit…
#IDFridays Week 14: Elephantiasis
#IDFridays Week 13: Meningitis
There are six different types of meningitis and all have the potential to kill Name Meningitis. The six types are: Bacterial Viral Fungal Parasitic Amoebic Non-infectious In this post, we are focusing on a type of bacterial meningitis called meningococcal meningitis Transmission Meningitis is a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain…
#IDFridays Week 12: Chikungunya
This virus is spread through the same mosquitoes that carry Zika and Dengue Name Chikunguya (in the Kimakonde language of Tanzania and Mozambique, “chikungunya” means “to become contorted” which describes patients who are bent over from severe joint pain, one of the symptoms) Transmission The virus is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes Mosquitoes become infected…
Ayetoro Senior Grammar School: #ItStartsWithMe School Visit
Another week, another #ItStartsWithMe school visit! Today we went to Ayetoro Senior Grammar School in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. At this rate, we’re going to have students all across Lagos washing their hands and practicing good hygiene. And here are the students singing another one of our favourite handwashing songs! The lyrics are written below the video…
#IDFridays Week 11: Dengue
Surpassing malaria, dengue is the fastest growing mosquito-borne disease in the world Name Dengue Transmission A disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito It occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue which has become a…
Lagos City Senior College: #ItStartsWithMe School Visit
Today we visited another school for the #ItStartsWithMe campaign! This time it was Lagos City Senior College in Yaba, Lagos. During our talk with the students we discussed the most important times to wash their hands and the things they need to wash properly. Through our interactive demonstration, students saw how easily they can spread…