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Epidemiology
Schistosomiasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases after malaria and helminthiasis. It is a devastating disease that is a big source of mortality all around the world. More than 140 million people are affected by this disease, out of which 90% are only from African countries. There are a few countries where there is still no control of this disease, and an estimated 700 million people from 76 countries remain at risk of developing this infection. Almost 200,000 annually reported deaths worldwide are caused by Schistosomiasis.
The disease is considered endemic in countries and places where agricultural work remains the main source of income. Most countries in the world affected by Schistosomiasis lie within the region of South America, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. It is not common in the United States, but the cases are gradually increasing because of the increasing number of immigrants settling in there. The pathogenic form of Schistosome can dwell within the human body in dormant form for years, making it more difficult to screen out any active cases.
The disease is most commonly seen in African countries according to racial and geographical distribution. The Eastern Mediterranean countries are also found equally susceptible to the disease. Still, the frequency of complications occurring varies from region to region. According to gender, the disease is more common in males. At the same time, 30% of the cases in females are caused by S. haematobium.
