Laos-WHO Partnership To Eliminate Snail Fever Among Children 

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Bernama) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Lao Health Ministry will spend RM5 million (US$1.18 million) to eliminate the parasitic disease schistosomiasis that has been affecting thousands of children in the landlocked country.

Authorities will implement several measures over the next two years to interrupt schistosomiasis transmission to achieve zero cases of new locally transmitted infections in snails, animals, and humans, according to a WHO Laos media release.

Schistosomiasis, or snail fever, is transmitted by parasitic worm-infected snails living in contaminated water.

Symptoms of the tropical disease include stomach pain, enlarged liver, and blood in the urine or stool. Left unchecked, it can even cause infertility or bladder cancer, said WHO. 

The activities will be jointly funded by the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

"Schistosomiasis has been a persistent challenge for many years. Despite our efforts to prevent transmission and eliminate schistosomiasis, the disease continues to affect thousands, especially children.

“This new funding and collaboration will enhance our capacity and enable us to intensify our control measures and move closer to elimination,” said Lao Health Minister Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.

According to WHO, schistosomiasis impacts almost 240 million people worldwide.

In Laos, the disease affects about 120,000 people in Champasack Province’s Khong and Mounlapamok districts across 202 villages. Most school-aged children are at risk, said the statement.

China’s GDF will provide RM2.93 million (US$680,263) and SDC will channel RM2.16 million (US$500,590) for the project.

 “Schistosomiasis is an unwelcome health risk causing a range of tragic health impacts – one that we are close to eliminating. Sustained investment and commitment have meant that less than one per cent of people living in high-risk locations are infected. 

“But with children and adults risking infection through poor hygiene, farming, and outdoor and recreational activities, the risk to health and further transmission remains,” read the WHO statement, citing its representative in Laos, Dr Tim Armstrong. 

--  BERNAMA