Schistosomiasis, NCDPC FAQ
- What is Schistosomiasis?
- What causes Schistosomiasis?
- What is the mode of transmission?
- What are the signs and symptoms of Schistosomiasis?
- What can be done to prevent and control the transmission of the disease?
- Where do we find the areas where Schistosoma Japonica is endemic ?
- Where can you go for help or ask for information about schistosomiasis ?
- Who can stop the spread of Schistosomiasis?
- Who are the people who can be involved in the successful prevention and control of schistosomiasis?
- How can we ensure the successful implementation of the Schistosomiasis Control Program?
What is Schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis or Snail Fever is a parasitic disease common among farmers, fishermen and their families in certain parts of the Philippines.
topWhat causes Schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is caused by a worm, Schistosomiasis japonicum. The male and female worms always go in pair and live in the blood vessels of the intestines and liver.
topWhat is the mode of transmission?
You get infected through skin penetration by the cercaria that emerge from a tiny snail called Oncomelania quadrasi after 2 months of development.
topWhat are the signs and symptoms of Schistosomiasis?
Early stage
• Itchiness of the skin
• Bloody, mucoid stools
• Fever & cough
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysenteric attacks
Late stage
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Weight loss, severe liver disease
• Anemia, jaundice, ascites
Complications
• Heart failure
• Epilepsy
What can be done to prevent and control the transmission of the disease?
Schistosomiasis is controlled by interrupting the cycle of transmission through the four methods of approach.
topWhere do we find the areas where Schistosoma Japonica is endemic ?
There are at present 2,222 endemic barangays, 189 municipalities in 28 provinces in the 11 regions in the Philippines.
topWhere can you go for help or ask for information about schistosomiasis ?
You can go to the nearest Health center for stool examination and treatment.
topWho can stop the spread of Schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is a man made disease. It is only you or the people themselves who can stop the transmission of the disease.
topWho are the people who can be involved in the successful prevention and control of schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is not the only concern of the healthjworkers but everybody’s concern. There is a need for a close collaboration with the LGUs, NGOs, other NGAs, Pos, Academes and other stakeholders.
topHow can we ensure the successful implementation of the Schistosomiasis Control Program?
Through partnership with various agencies thus prompting quality of life and agricultural productivity.
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