Schistosomiasis control measures for small irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

A pilot study was initiated in 1984 on the 600 ha Mushandike Irrigation Project near Masvingo; Zimbabwe; with the objective of developing and field-testing practical guidelines to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission foruse by those involved in planning designing; constructing and operating small-holder irrigation projects in Zimbabwe. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease which is particularly prevalent on irrigated land because of high levels of human contact with water and because colonisation by the aquatic snails; which actas its intermediate hosts; is generally favoured by the aquatic environments created within irrigation and drainage systems. A number of important phases of the project are complete. These include formulating citeria for schistosomiasis control; implementing these criteria within the design and construction precesses; establishing regular monitoring of the human and snail populations and introducing micro-computer assisted irringation scheduling to reduce the likelihood of snailcolonisation in parts of the system. [abstract terminated]