There are two ways elephantiasis can be infected

• Lymphatic Filariasis: It is caused by a worm known as wuchereria bancrofti parasite and is transmitted to human through mosquito bites

• Non-filarial elephantiasis: This type of elephantiasis is more seen in central African region, and this occurs due to the chemical present in the volcanic ashes.

In both types of infection, they attack lymph nodes, often caused by an obstruction of lymphatic vessels, resulting in swelling of skin and tissue.