St Lucia launching survey to check for schistosomiasis

The Ministry of Health and Wellness in St Lucia will begin a survey next week to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis in communities.

The follows sighting of snails that can transmit schistosomiasis in Babonneau, Micoud and Soufriere.

Schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia, is caused by a parasitic worm that infects humans.

A sample of 2,000 children will be included in next week's survey, with officials hoping for a prevalence as low as 10.

St Lucia had a surge in cases between the 1940 and 1970, resulting in government’s formulation of a schistosomiasis eradication plan.

Today, health officials say the disease is under control.

“We believe that St Lucia has practically eliminated the disease from the country,” said Dr Merlene Fredericks, chief medical officer with the Ministry of Health.

"Years ago we had a huge problem in terms of bilharzia with many of those infected showing symptoms like an enlarged liver and spleen that results in an enlarged abdomen, and anemia, because the worms feed on the blood.

"But right now, we’re seeing very few cases. And to determine whether we have eliminated the disease we need to carry out a survey amongst young children to see what percentage of them might be affected.

"We do predict that it will be a very low percentage.”

Officials are hoping the survey will see St Lucia certified as schistosomiasis-free by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.

Nahum Jn. Baptiste, national Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, said: “This is a very important survey that will confirm that we no longer have schistosomiasis, and most importantly, to find out if there has been any recent transmission, identify the areas where there is transmission, and to move quickly to eliminate it."

"Diseases are such that even if you have eliminated them, you have to keep working at prevention or they will resurge. So again, we are asking parents to support the survey.”

The parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis goes through two main stages. In one stage, it can infect humans, and in another stage, it infects certain freshwater snails.