WHO declares Yemen free of Elephantiasis

SANAA, July 2 (YPA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that Yemen has officially become free of “Elephantiasis” known scientifically as lymphatic filariasis.

The organization attributed the eradication of the disease to the efforts of local authorities and donors.

“The disease was threatening about 120 thousand Yemenis, since the beginning of the second millennium,” the organization said I a tweet on Twitter.

Yemen has met the criteria for elimination of lymphatic filariasis and become completely free by 2019, the WHO added.

Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as “elephantiasis”, is one of neglected tropical diseases.

Infection occurs when parasites are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, usually acquired in childhood, and cause invisible damage to the lymphatic system.

YPA