One of the ways of controlling Schistosomiasis is by
Answer Details
One effective way of controlling Schistosomiasis is by destroying water snails and water weeds.
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. The life cycle of these parasites heavily involves freshwater snails, which act as intermediate hosts. Here's how the life cycle works:
The parasites reproduce inside humans and release eggs, some of which end up in freshwater bodies.
The eggs hatch in the water to release larvae known as miracidia.
These miracidia infect specific types of freshwater snails.
Inside the snails, they develop into cercariae, which are another larval form of the parasite.
These cercariae are released from snails back into the water, where they can penetrate human skin, continuing the cycle.
By destroying water snails and eliminating water weeds, which can provide habitat for these snails, you interrupt the lifecycle of the parasite. This can significantly reduce the risk of transmission to humans. It is crucial to control snail populations in freshwater bodies where human contact is common.
This method, along with other control measures such as providing access to safe water, improving sanitation, and educating communities about safe water practices, plays a crucial role in reducing schistosomiasis transmission. Importantly, to combat the disease effectively, a combination of approaches is usually necessary.