Collective efforts to overcome endemic schistosomiasis (part 1)

In tropical and subtropical countries, particularly in regions lacking access to clean water and adequate sanitation, there exists a threat known as schistosomiasis. This acute and chronic parasitic disease is caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, involving snails as endemic intermediate hosts.

In Indonesia, schistosomiasis is only found in the Napu and Bada highlands in Poso Regency, as well as the Lindu highlands in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. In Poso Regency, the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis snail foci once reached 269 locations, spread across 23 villages and five districts. Meanwhile, in the Lindu highlands, Sigi Regency, there are 14 snail focus areas spread across five villages.