Residents who took part in the elephantiasis sensitisation forum in Kisauni.[Photo/Vincent Sande]
The Mombasa County Government on Wednesday carried out a public sensitisation forum on lymphatic filariasis disease, commonly known as elephantiasis.Officers from the county's Department of Health, sub-county administration, chiefs and village elders visited different wards and villages in the county to educate residents about the disease.Speaking during one of the forums in Nyali, Mombasa Health CeC Hazel Koitaba said the disease affects a majority of the population but many people fail to seek early treatment due to ignorance.Community leaders and residents in Kisauni, Nyali, Changamwe and Likoni constituencies were educated on the factors that lead to the disease, its transmission, effects, treatment and prevention.“According to World Health Organization (WHO), elephantiasis occurs when the filarial parasites are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes after biting an infected person,” said Koitaba.The health officers urged the public to sleep under treated mosquito nets and maintain a clean environment around their homes to prevent breeding of mosquitoes which transmit the disease.The Health Department also noted that it will from December 7 to 11 distribute free drugs to residents suffering from the disease.