How Elephantiasis is Acquired

Elephantiasis is transmitted to humans by a mosquito infected with the filariae parasite. Once a person acquires the filariae larvae transmitted by the mosquito, the larvae enters the lymphatic system, where they mature (live up to 7 years) and reproduce (produce millions of offspring). The worms will begin to block and imbalance to the lymphatic flow throughout the body causing fluid to build up; which then causes body parts to become enlarged.

 This diagram shows how the filariae worm travels from
mosquito to host. 

References 

http://howshealth.com/elephantitis-elephantiasis/(Picture)

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/