infections
Filarial Worm Infections Overview
Transmission
Filarial worm infections are transmitted as follows: An infected fly (such as a horsefly or deerfly) or mosquito bites a person and deposits larvae of the worm in the skin. The larvae mature into adult worms under the skin or in Overview of the Lymphatic System . The adult worms produce offspring called microfilariae, which circulate in the bloodstream or reside in the skin. The infection is spread when the infected person is bitten by a fly or mosquito, which ingests the microfilariae. Inside the insect, the microfilariae develop into larvae that can cause infection. The insect then transmits these larvae when it bites another person. These infections are not spread directly from person to person. 