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What is schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis is an infection caused by a burrowing parasitic worm that lives in freshwater in tropical regions of Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia.

It affects around 600 million people worldwide and kills 300,000 a year. 

Although the infection usually does not cause symptoms at first, it can gradually damage organs such as the bladder, kidneys and liver.

Within a few weeks of infection, people may suffer fever, rashes, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

In the long term, schistosomiasis can cause organs to become permanently damaged, leading to seizures if the brain is affected, coughing up blood if the lungs are damaged and anaemia if the digestive system was targeted.

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