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Schistosomiasis (bilhariasis or snail fever) has
long been one of the important disease in our
country. It is caused by a blood fluke,
Schistosoma japanicum a tiny that is transmitted
by snail oncomelania quadrasi.

There is high prevalence of schistosomiasis in

Region 5 (Bicol) Region 8 (Samar and Leyte) and
Region 11 (Davao).
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Signs and symptoms:
‡ Diarrhea
‡ Bloody stools
‡ Enlargement of the abdomen - the
build-up of fluid in the abdomen
(ascites)
‡ Splenomegaly
‡ Weakness
‡ Anemia
‡ Inflamed liver
 Infectious agents:
Schistosoma mansoni,S. haematobum and
51: japanicum are the major species
causing human disease.
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Infection occurs when skin comes in contact with contaminated

fresh water in which the snails that carry schistosomes are
living. It is the free swimming larval forms( cercariae) of the
parasite that penetrate the skin.

Fresh water becomes contaminated by Schistosoma eggs when

infected people urinate and defecate in the water. Schistosoma
parasites can penetrate the skin of person who are wading,
swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated water.
ð 

Eggs may be detected in the feces or urine. Repeated stool tests

may be required to concentrate and identify the eggs. Blood
tests may be used to detect a particular antigen or particle
associated with the schistosome that induces an immune
response.
Sophisticated imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, computed
tomography scan (CT scan), and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), can detect damage to the blood vessels in the liver and
visualize polyps and ulcers of the urinary tract, for example, that
occur in the more advanced stages. 

 is difficult
to diagnose with ultrasound in pregnant women.
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Schistosomiasis is readily treated using a

single oral dose of the drug Praziquantel
annually. As with other major parasitic
diseases, there is ongoing and extensive
research into developing a schistosomiasis
vaccine that will prevent the parasite from
completing its life cycle in humans.
 Methods of control
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