Loveness Pitala (48), whose husband left her after she developed Lymphatic Filariasis, has an infrared photograph taken of her legs by Dr Louise Kelly-Hope, head of monitoring and evaluation at the LSTM's Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Pitala is also HIV positive.

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) (elephantiasis) is a so-called 'neglected' tropical disease caused by a parasite (nematodes, roundworms) transmitted by mosquitos and characterised by debilitating swelling (lymphoedema). Those affected are left with grotesquely deformed limbs and while the condition can be managed, there is no known cure. Caused by a mosquito borne parasite, LF can also trigger extensive scrotal swelling, or hydrocele, in men.

On 31 July 2019 The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Malawi has eliminated lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem.