The Life Cycle of Lymphatic Filariasis

MOSQUITO STAGES HUMAN STAGES

7 Larvae migrate to a mosquitos 8 An infected mosquito 1 An infected mosquito deposits larvae on the skin
head and proboscis. continues the cycle. while biting, and the larvae enter the wound.

2
An infected mosquito
starts the cycle Larvae migrate to vessels
and nodes of the lymphatic
system, where they develop into
8 1 thread-like adult worms.
LYMPH NODES 2
AND VESSELS

ADULT
WORMS

In several stages, inside a

mosquitos midgut, microfilariae 3 Adult worms, which typically live five to
develop into infectious larvae. seven years, damage the lymphatic
system, causing infections that result in
L3 LARVAE
blockages, swelling, and fevers.

3
LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
BLOOD BLOCKAGE

L1 LARVAE STREAM

5 4

SWELLING

4 Fertilized female worms

Another mosquito becomes release embryonic offspring,
infected, continuing the cycle called microfilariae, that
enter the blood stream. They
5 A mosquito, feeding on the blood circulate at night, when
of an infected person, ingests mosquitoes bite, in blood
microfilariae, becoming infected. vessels near the skin.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention The Carter Center / Graphic by Al Granberg