Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is an infection caused by a parasite. The parasite lives on certain snails which live in fresh water, most commonly in tropical areas, especially in Africa. Water sports, swimming or showering in these waters should be avoided.

Symptoms

An itchy rash can appear on the skin, known as “swimmers itch”. Sometimes a fever can develop 2-6 weeks later, with diarrhoea, cough or other symptoms (“Katayama fever”). Long-term infection may have no symptoms for years.

How do you catch schistosomiasis?
The tiny parasitic worms in the water burrow through the skin. They then travel to the veins of the bladder or bowels and release eggs.

Incubation period 
Usually 2-12 weeks for the initial infection.

Diagnosis 
Blood tests no earlier than 8 weeks after contact with the fresh water can confirm the diagnosis. St

Prevention
Avoid water sports, swimming or wading in fresh water lakes and rivers in the tropics. If crossing a river cannot be avoided, wear waterproof footwear and try to find an area where the water is fast flowing.

Treatment
A drug called praziquantel is used to treat schistosomiasis, but is not effective in the early stage of infection – so taking it after a swim is not likely to help. Any traveller who has been in fresh water in tropical areas should see their doctor 8-12 weeks later for tests.

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Did you know?

  • There is no vaccine available to prevent schistosomiasis.
  • Schistosomiasis cannot be caught by swimming in seawater or in chlorinated swimming pools.
  • Neither using an insect repellent, nor drying off quickly after being in the water, will prevent infection with schistosomiasis.

Clinical Oversight By:

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross is the Medical Director at MASTA and has been associated with the company since 2005. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1983 and graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1986. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John. He was the senior advisor on public health from 2012–2023 to the UK Surgeon General. He retired from the Army in October 2024, after 41 years active service.

Professor David Ross was Director of Education, Honorary Secretary, and Vice Dean before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow) in October 2024. Recent travel medicine research interests have included malaria prevention and tuberculosis screening. He was Chief Examiner of the Diploma of Medicine in Conflict & Catastrophes at the Society of Apothecaries until 2024, is Chair of the Final UK MFPH and an Examiner at the UK Faculty of Public Health.

The last few years of his military working life were dominated by supporting the international and national public health response to COVID-19, where he managed many large COVID outbreaks both overseas and in the UK. David also led research into risk factors for mental ill health in the UK Army and for this was awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow in 2024.