Yemen reports tens of thousands of schistosomiasis and river blindness cases in recent months
Sources working in the health sector under the control of the Houthi group revealed the emergence of reports of about 30,000 new cases of schistosomiasis, and 18,000 cases of river blindness (onchocerciasis) during the past 10 weeks, in 6 cities under the control of the Houthi group including Sana'a countryside, Ibb, Al Mahwit, Raymah, Al Hudaydah, and Taiz.
According to sources, one of the reasons that led to the spread of schistosomiasis is the lack of access to safe drinking water for residents. The sources reported that hospitals and health facilities in these governorates are witnessing an influx of patients suffering from these diseases, especially among children and young people.
Schistosomiasis is second only to malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public health importance, with 200 million people infected in approximately 75 countries.
Schistosomiasis is an acute or chronic disease; it is not a single disease, but a disease complex initiated by several different species of schistosomes. The three most important human species are Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum.
It is also considered a “man-made” disease, frequently associated with the development of irrigation and hydroelectric projects in developing countries.
Geographically, the three species are found in Africa (S.mansoni and S. haemotobium), the Middle East (S. haemotobium), the Arabian Peninsula, Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela and the Caribbean (S. mansoni) and China, the Philippines and parts of Indonesia (S. japonicum).
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease and is the second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, after trachoma. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective black flies, primarily found in riverine areas. The disease primarily affects rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas found in parts of Latin America.
Yemen is the only endemic country for onchocerciasis in Asia.
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