LOAISIS (AFRICAN EYE WORM)
LOAISIS also called African eye worm by most people, is caused by the parasitic worm Loa loa. It is passed on to humans through the repeated bites of deerflies (also known as mango flies or mangrove flies) of the genus Chrysops. Loa loa is the filarial nematode species that causes Loa loa filariasis. Loa loa actually means "worm worm", but is commonly known as the "eye worm", as it localizes to the conjunctiva of the eye. Loa loa is commonly found in Africa. It mainly inhabits rain forests in West Africa and has native origins in Ethiopia Loa Loa is endemic in eleven West and Central African countries, as follows; Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan. • WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS? Parasitic eye infections don’t always cause symptoms, which can make them hard to recognize. When symptoms do occur, they can include: ✓ eye pain ✓ redness or inflammation i