Seif Abdul*, Ribson E. Mlaki, Emmanuel J. Awe, Petty J. Mzubwe1, Victor V.Mosha, Johnson Matowo , Sia E. Msuya
Volume 1, Issue 1
Published: October 20, 2025
Background: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes, is still a public health
problem in low-income countries like Tanzania. Of the 201 million people infected with
schistosomiasis globally, 91% are in sub-Sahara Africa countries. In Tanzania, Mass Drug
Administration (MDA) is one of the key interventions to control schistosomiasis, but rapid reinfection after treatment lead to persistent high prevalence of schistosomiasis in key groups
like school-aged children. Snail control is an alternative, however there is limited information
on epidemiology and interventions on snails that that transmit schistosomiasis in Tanzania.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at Kileo ward in Mwanga District, from
April-May 2019. The snails were collected manually using scooping technique and location
where the snails were obtained was mapped by using Global Positioning System (GPS). Physicochemical properties of water from each collection site were assessed using a multiparameter
pH meter. The snails sampled at individual site were transferred to a laboratory for analysis
within 4 hours of collection. The species and genus of snails were identified by shell
morphology. Cercarial shedding was assessed over the first 48 hours after collection.
without new focal deficits. Follow-up imaging is pending at the time of writing.
Results: A total of 300 snails were collected from four different sites where people come into
contact with water. The species of snails identified were Bulinus africanus (208) and Bulinus
forskali (92). Snails of genus Biomphalaria were not identified among the collected snails. No
snail was found to shed cercaria of schistosomiasis after being exposed to light.
Conclusion: Finding of Bulinus spp support high occurrence of Schistosoma haematobium and
in the area and the need for planning of snail control activities in this setting. There is a need
to sample snails over a long period, in different seasons of the year, to map if there is season
variability of snail species especially for those transmitting Schistosoma mansoni.
Partially Thrombosed Aneurysm, Posterior Circulation, Pica Region, Retrosigmoid, Lateral Medullary Syndrome, Microsurgical Clipping, Case Report
Schistosomiasis, Snail vector, Cercarial shedding, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Abdul, S., Mlaki, R, E., Awe, E, J., Mzubwe, P, j., Mosha, V, V., et al. (2025). Distribution of Snails species and its infectivity with Schistosomes at Mwanga District, North Eastern Tanzania. Epidemiol Public Health OA , 1(1), 01-08.