Schistosomiasis cases escalate in Namibia
Children hit hardest
Also known as bilharzia, the infectious disease is caused by parasitic flatworms transmitted when individuals come into contact with contaminated water.
About 173 cases of schistosomiasis have been confirmed in the Kavango West Region by the health ministry, with school-going children being the hardest hit.
Schistosomiasis – also known as bilharzia - is an infectious acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic flatworms, which are transmitted when individuals come into contact with contaminated water.
Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya yesterday said they anticipate more cases to be reported from the Zambezi, Kavango East and Omusati regions because of the proximity to water canals and perennial rivers.
So far, all the cases were managed on an outpatient basis and no one has been hospitalised due to schistosomiasis. It is not an uncommon occurrence for people to fall ill with the disease in Namibia, especially those from the aforementioned regions.
Schistosomiasis is transmitted when an infected individual urinates or defecates in water, shedding eggs that proliferate in an intermediated host such as snails. The snails then shed infective forms of the parasite called cercariae, which infect individuals through skin penetration when they come into contact with contaminated water.
Symptoms
Those at risk of contracting schistosomiasis are people performing routine agricultural domestic duties and children playing or swimming in contaminated bodies of water.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool or urine and liver enlargement, which is common in advanced cases.
In women, urogenital schistosomiasis may present with genital lesions, vaginal bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse.
“The ministry reiterates that an increase in schistosomiasis cases is expected from this particular area in Kavango West, as it is endemic [to the area]. Therefore, the most effective preventive strategy right now is to avoid contact with the river water.
“The public is urged to remain calm and comply with the control measures put in place in order to contain and prevent further transmission,” the ministry’s executive director Ben Nangombe said.
[email protected]
Schistosomiasis – also known as bilharzia - is an infectious acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic flatworms, which are transmitted when individuals come into contact with contaminated water.
Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya yesterday said they anticipate more cases to be reported from the Zambezi, Kavango East and Omusati regions because of the proximity to water canals and perennial rivers.
So far, all the cases were managed on an outpatient basis and no one has been hospitalised due to schistosomiasis. It is not an uncommon occurrence for people to fall ill with the disease in Namibia, especially those from the aforementioned regions.
Schistosomiasis is transmitted when an infected individual urinates or defecates in water, shedding eggs that proliferate in an intermediated host such as snails. The snails then shed infective forms of the parasite called cercariae, which infect individuals through skin penetration when they come into contact with contaminated water.
Symptoms
Those at risk of contracting schistosomiasis are people performing routine agricultural domestic duties and children playing or swimming in contaminated bodies of water.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool or urine and liver enlargement, which is common in advanced cases.
In women, urogenital schistosomiasis may present with genital lesions, vaginal bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse.
“The ministry reiterates that an increase in schistosomiasis cases is expected from this particular area in Kavango West, as it is endemic [to the area]. Therefore, the most effective preventive strategy right now is to avoid contact with the river water.
“The public is urged to remain calm and comply with the control measures put in place in order to contain and prevent further transmission,” the ministry’s executive director Ben Nangombe said.
[email protected]
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