Persistence of schistosomal transmission linked to the Cavu river in southern Corsica since 2013

Euro Surveill. 2018 Jan;23(4):18-00017. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.4.18-00017.

Abstract

Seven cases of urogenital schistosomiasis occurred in Corsica in 2015 and 2016. The episodes were related to exposure to the same river and involved the same parasite strain as an outbreak with 106 cases in summer 2013. The connection calls for further investigations on the presence of an animal reservoir and the survival of infested snails during winter. However, recontamination of the river from previously infected bathers remains the most likely hypothesis.

Keywords: Corsica; France; Schistosomiasis; bulinus; outbreaks; parasitic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bulinus / parasitology*
  • Disease Notification
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fresh Water
  • Humans
  • Schistosoma / isolation & purification*
  • Schistosoma haematobium / genetics
  • Schistosoma haematobium / isolation & purification*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / transmission*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / urine
  • Snails / parasitology