Schistosoma: background document for the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality and the WHO guidelines on sanitation and health
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World Health Organization
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ii, 10 p.
Schistosoma: background document for the WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality and the WHO Guidelines on sanitation and health reviews the characteristics, transmission, environmental occurrence and public health significance of schistosome infections in relation to water, sanitation and hygiene. The document describes Schistosoma species as parasitic blood flukes responsible for intestinal and urogenital schistosomiasis, affecting populations primarily in tropical and subtropical regions with inadequate sanitation and limited access to safe water. It outlines the complex life cycle involving freshwater snails as intermediate hosts and explains that transmission occurs through skin contact with contaminated freshwater rather than through ingestion of drinking-water. The publication summarizes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and detection methods for schistosomiasis, with particular attention to environmental contamination of surface waters by human and animal excreta. It discusses the role of water resource development, irrigation systems and domestic water contact activities in sustaining transmission. The document also examines prevention and management strategies, including sanitation safety plans, water safety plans, snail control and wastewater management. It highlights the importance of safe sanitation and reliable drinking-water supplies in reducing exposure to contaminated water and notes that conventional treatment and disinfection processes are effective for removing or inactivating schistosome eggs and cercariae.
Schistosoma: background document for the WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality and the WHO Guidelines on sanitation and health reviews the characteristics, transmission, environmental occurrence and public health significance of schistosome infections in relation to water, sanitation and hygiene. The document describes Schistosoma species as parasitic blood flukes responsible for intestinal and urogenital schistosomiasis, affecting populations primarily in tropical and subtropical regions with inadequate sanitation and limited access to safe water. It outlines the complex life cycle involving freshwater snails as intermediate hosts and explains that transmission occurs through skin contact with contaminated freshwater rather than through ingestion of drinking-water. The publication summarizes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and detection methods for schistosomiasis, with particular attention to environmental contamination of surface waters by human and animal excreta. It discusses the role of water resource development, irrigation systems and domestic water contact activities in sustaining transmission. The document also examines prevention and management strategies, including sanitation safety plans, water safety plans, snail control and wastewater management. It highlights the importance of safe sanitation and reliable drinking-water supplies in reducing exposure to contaminated water and notes that conventional treatment and disinfection processes are effective for removing or inactivating schistosome eggs and cercariae.