High prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a desert population: results from an exploratory study around the Ounianga lakes in Chad

A high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, reaching nearly 40%, was discovered among populations living around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lakes of Ounianga in Chad. This finding challenges the assumption that such water-borne diseases are confined to tropical regions. The study, conducted in January 2019, employed a cross-sectional survey, focus group discussions, and malacological surveys to detect infections with Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni, as well as to identify intermediate host snails. Molecular genetic methods confirmed the presence of S. haematobium, with 51.5% of infected individuals suffering from heavy infections. The study also highlighted significant morbidity associated with urinary schistosomiasis and a critical lack of access to diagnostics and treatment in this desert population.

Moser, W., Batil, A. A., Ott, R., Abderamane, M., Clements, R., Wampfler, R., Poppert, S., Steinmann, P., Allan, F., & Greter, H. (2022). High prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a desert population: results from an exploratory study around the Ounianga lakes in Chad. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00930-4