The evil parasite that is eating people alive

29.10.2015 13:32

The "jigger" is responsible for thousands of people losing their limbs around the world

In some cases, the worrying epidemic has even resulted in death.

And as this horrifying flea gorges on human flesh, its better known relative - the sand flea - lies in wait on British shorelines.

The "jigger", burrows itself into victims and lays eggs in their skin.

The eggs are incubated and hatch, causing horrific wounds.

They can spread and start gorging on other parts of the body.Most recently, the infectious bug has infected thousands in the east African country of Kenya, leaving sufferers with terrible injuries.

It has been branded the "hidden killer" and affects all ages.

Stomach-churning footage online shows how its victims suffer.

Doctors and aid workers visit villages to treat those infected and have to painfully cut out the larvae as they wriggle in the patient's skin.

Some people are hit so bad that thousands of "jiggers" infiltrate the skin and eat away at their limbs – leaving them hanging on to the body by a thread.

One shocking video uploaded to YouTube shows a man called Andrew, from Vihiga County, whose arms and legs have been destroyed by the parasite.

The wounds are so deep that doctors are forced to use scalpels to cut out the deadly critters.

"Jigger" hotspots arise in filth conditions and in households with poor hygiene.

Back at home, the sand flea can be found in similar places - on beaches, stables, farms, soil and dust and even hide in cracks on the floor and in furniture.

African charity Rise Up Society (RUS) is fighting the "jigger" epidemic by treating those suffering.

And UK-based charity Sole Hope is working hard to raise awareness of the parasite.

The charity documents the journeys sufferers go through during their life-saving treatment.

Andrew, 42, is one of the worst affected.

His legs have been chewed away by the parasite and are covered from just below the knee to the tips of his toes.

Jim Nduruchi, of the Kill the Jigger campaign said Andrew's affliction was one of the worst he has ever seen.

He said Andrews was gripped in the last stages of a "jigger" infestation and was close to death.

He said: "Andrew has no one to take care of him.

"When you are alone, the 'jiggers' will come over and be your brothers. And of course, they are not a very good brother."

Adventurer Levison Wood had to cut the end of one of his big toes off with a razor blade after a "jigger" laid eggs under his nail.

He was walking from the source of the Nile in Rwanda to the Mediterranean and was subject to a Channel 4 documentary earlier this year.

(The Daily Star)