What is Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis or Snail Fever is a parasitic disease common among farmers, fishermen and their
families in certain parts of the Philippines.

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What causes Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is caused by a worm, Schistosomiasis japonicum. The male and female worms always go
in pair and live in the blood vessels of the intestines and liver.

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What is the mode of transmission?

You get infected through skin penetration by the cercaria that emerge from a tiny snail called
Oncomelania quadrasi after 2 months of development.

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What are the signs and symptoms of Schistosomiasis?

Early stage
• Itchiness of the skin
• Bloody, mucoid stools
• Fever & cough
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysenteric attacks

Late stage
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Weight loss, severe liver disease
• Anemia, jaundice, ascites

Complications
• Heart failure
• Epilepsy

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What can be done to prevent and control the transmission of the disease?

Schistosomiasis is controlled by interrupting the cycle of transmission through the four methods of
approach.

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Where do we find the areas where Schistosoma Japonica is endemic ?

There are at present 2,222 endemic barangays, 189 municipalities in 28 provinces in the 11 regions in
the Philippines.

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Where can you go for help or ask for information about schistosomiasis ?

You can go to the nearest Health center for stool examination and treatment.

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Who can stop the spread of Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is a man made disease. It is only you or the people themselves who can stop the
transmission of the disease.

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Who are the people who can be involved in the successful prevention and control of schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is not the only concern of the healthjworkers but everybody’s concern. There is a need
for a close collaboration with the LGUs, NGOs, other NGAs, Pos, Academes and other stakeholders.

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How can we ensure the successful implementation of the Schistosomiasis Control Program?

Through partnership with various agencies thus prompting quality of life and agricultural productivity.