Epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in Southeast Asia

Schistosomiasis in Southeast Asia, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mekongi and Schistosoma japonicum-like, have been reported from six different countries. The S. japonicum infections are highly prevalent in the Philippines with Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi as the vector snail, and in localized areas in Indonesia with O.h. lindoensis as the snail vector. The S. mekongi infections are recent discovery in the Lower Mekong Basin in Laos and Kampuchea, with Tricula aperta as the vector snail. The S. japonicum-like infections are found as isolated cases diagnosed by the finding of S. japonicum-like eggs in the faeces, rectal biopsy, tissue biopsy or at necropsy in Thailand and Malaysia. The control measures of schistosomiasis have been implemented in the Philippines and Indonesia, while further research studies are being conducted in Thailand and Malaysia.