Biomphalaria pfeifferi Snails and Intestinal Schistosomiasis, Lake Malawi, Africa, 2017-2018

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Mar;25(3):613-615. doi: 10.3201/eid2503.181601. Epub 2019 Mar 17.

Abstract

Two surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 demonstrated Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails in Lake Malawi in Africa. Epidemiologic examination of 175 local children at 3 primary schools confirmed emergence of intestinal schistosomiasis. These findings highlight autochthonous transmission of Schistosoma mansoni flukes in Lake Malawi and the need to revise international travel advice.

Keywords: Africa; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; CCA dipsticks; Epidemiology; Kato-Katz; Lake Malawi; Schistosoma mansoni; fluke; parasites; snail.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Biomphalaria / parasitology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Malawi / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / epidemiology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / history
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / transmission*