Man leg becomes times six of normal size after mosquito bites 20 years ago

A Cambodia man's leg swollen after being bitten by Mosquitoes two decades ago in what may suggest that Mosquito's bite may stay long in the body before it manifests.

Unlike malaria, yellow fever, Dengue all of which symptoms manifest in less than a years, Lymphatic filariasis may not be noticed in victims after many years.

According to the 27-year Bong Thet whose leg has swollen to the extent that it can only be dragged with support from others, the tumour developed from small wounds on his foot when he was just six-years-old, and at that time, he said his parents ignored because they thought he injured himself while playing outside.

At 12, small lumps had already grown arnd his foot and completely covered his leg.

Due to his inability to afford the medical treatment in the poverty-stricken country, his condition worsened over the years.

Bong, who had to stop going to school because it was difficult for him to walk long distances later met good Samaritans who offered to pay for his treatment earlier this month.

Businesswoman Dana Try gave 10,000,000 Cambodia Riel (around £1,900) for Bong's medical expenses and he was able to visit a hospital for the first time.

He conducted a blood check-up before the doctors found out he has Lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease caused by thread-like worms.

The doctors said he contracted the parasites through mosquito bites which he scratched, resulting to the wounds.

"This will make my life easier and knowing that there are people who care for me makes me feel happy,' he said. 'I am so grateful for them to helping. The money will pay for medicine and food.''He said when told it's not curable.

This should be a wake-up call to those in mosquitoes stricken area to be mindful of mosquitoes bite which if not properly treated, could have a disastrous effect.

Lymphatic filariasis is spread by infected mosquitoes. Their bites deposit a parasite that travels to the lymph system.

The diseases which is said to be incurable has less  than 100 thousand cases per year in Nigeria.