Potential for Transmission of Schistosomiasis in Kayonza District

Introduction: Schistosomiasis; also known as bilharzia or snail fever; is a tropical parasitic disease caused by a trematode platyhelminthes called Schistosoma check for this species in other resources sp. Schistosoma species are transmitted by cercariae penetrating the skin when a person is bathing; washing clothes; fishing or engaged in agricultural activities; involving contact with fresh water that has fecal or urinary contamination; and contains the parasites' snail host. The present study aimed to survey freshwater snails in Kayonza District (Rwanda) especially Lake Muhazi and surrounding water bodies; stream and swamps to assess the potential for transmission of two species of Schistosoma: S. mansoni check for this species in other resources and S. haematobium check for this species in other resources. Methods: Six sites were selected to assess the potential for transmission of schistosomiasis. The intermediate hosts of schistosomes; namely the snails Biomphalaria check for this species in other resources ; Bulinus check for this species in other resources sp. and Lymnaea check for this species in other resources sp.; were collected and brought to the laboratory and investigated to see if trematode cercaria responsible for the disease were present. Results: Snails dissected were not only infected with trematode cercaria but also with annelids and flatworms (Platyhelminths). Cercaria found therein were of two types: furcocercous; probably responsible for schistosomiasis; and gymnocephalous cercaria for fasciolasis: an infection of cattle; goats and sheep. Conclusion: Biomphalaria sp were the major hosts for schistosome cercaria; and most snails collected of this species were infected. Moreover; they were found in large number from all sites. Lymnaea sp; hosts snails for Fasciola cercaria check for this species in other resources ; were also found in a considerable number compared to the low number of Bulinus sp in the region. District and national authorities may wish to further investigate this infestation and identify potential interventions to disrupt the disease transmission

Prevalence and risk factors for trachoma in Rwanda.

OBJECTIVE: Trachoma is the oldest blinding ocular infection that has well known predisposing risk factors for its transmission. The prevalence of trachoma in Rwanda has been unknown as no trachoma population-based survey had ever been undertaken. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Trachoma and assess associated risk factors for its transmission. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of children aged 1 to 9 years and adult women aged 15 and above. Study setting was Gatsibo (Eastern Province) and Nyaruguru (Southern Province) Districts, Rwanda. Clusters were selected through probability proportion-to-size sampling and eligible persons were sampled using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using three generic survey questionnaires (village, household and individual level) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: 3451 children and 1,841 adult women underwent ocular examination for trachoma assessment. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) among children was 1.32% [95% CI, 0.77-1.86] in Gatsibo and 0.73% 195% CI, 0.33-1.13] in Nyaruguru Districts, respectively; with both districts having a prevalence below the WHO/International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) cut-off point of 10% for trachoma to be taken as disease of public health importance. There was no case of blinding trachomatous trichiasis and corneal opacity in both districts. Risk factors present for trachoma transmission were minimal. CONCLUSION: Trachoma is not a disease of public health importance in Gatsibo and Nyaruguru Districts in Rwanda