# Abundance and Seasonal Variations of Snail Intermediate Hosts of Schistosomiasis in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study examines snail populations linked to schistosomiasis in Nigeria, highlighting the need for vector control to meet WHO elimination goals.

## Contribution

The study identifies snail species and their seasonal variations in the FCT, emphasizing the importance of vector control for schistosomiasis elimination.

## Key findings

- Three snail species known to transmit schistosomiasis were found, with varying cercaria shedding rates.
- High disease prevalence in some communities did not correlate with high cercaria shedding snail percentages.
- Integrated control measures combining malacology and public health education are recommended for effective disease elimination.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Schistosomiasis is a disease of public health importance.The disease has been marked for elimination by the WHO on or before 2030.

Schistosomiasis is a disease of public health importance.

The disease has been marked for elimination by the WHO on or before 2030.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
The vector and major driver of schistosomiasis is a snail intermediate host.The presence of these snails in the studied communities indicates potential risk of infection for humans and other animals.

The vector and major driver of schistosomiasis is a snail intermediate host.

The presence of these snails in the studied communities indicates potential risk of infection for humans and other animals.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
The study of abundance, seasonal pattern and control of the snail will fast-track the elimination timeline of 2030 set by the WHO.Reduced exposure to water bodies with these vectors will contribute towards the reduction or elimination of the disease.

The study of abundance, seasonal pattern and control of the snail will fast-track the elimination timeline of 2030 set by the WHO.

Reduced exposure to water bodies with these vectors will contribute towards the reduction or elimination of the disease.

One of the strategies for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis is the control of its snail vectors in an endemic area, as is done in other tropical diseases like malaria. However, the strategy currently practiced for the control of the disease in Nigeria is the annual mass administration of preventive chemotherapy (Praziquantel) among school-age children while neglecting the control of its snail intermediate host and other control components. The neglect of malacology and vector control will slow the elimination targets and timeline of 2030 set by the WHO. In this study, we investigated the abundance and seasonal variations in the snail vectors of schistosomiasis and the relationship between the disease among humans and infected snail vectors. A total of 21,282 snails were collected from 13 sites across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Of the collected snails, 1451 (6.8%) belong to three species: Biomphelaria pfeifferi (0.5%), Bulinus truncatus (2.1%) and Bulinus globosus (4.2%), which are known to be vectors of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis, respectively. These three species were all shedding cercariae both at the time of collection and afterwards, when they were induced to shed cercariae. The association between the reported prevalence of the disease and the percentage of snails shedding cercaria were heterogenous across different communities. While Takushara, with a disease prevalence of 46%, had 60% of the cercaria shedding snails, Kwaita sabo pukafa and Guduji, with disease prevalences of 56% and 26% respectively, had no cercaria shedding snails. Similarly, Dagiri rafin shahu and Gwako 1, with disease prevalences of 60% and 38%, had cercaria shedding snails of less than 1%. Nonetheless, the presence of Bulinus and Biomphelaria species in these communities indicates a potential risk of infection for humans and other animals who may come in contact with the water. Consequently, integrated multisectoral control and elimination measures that combine malacological monitoring with behavioral, environmental, and historical epidemiological assessments with a deliberate health orientation of the people through sensitization and health education is advocated to reduce exposure to the disease risk factors and contribute towards elimination of the disease.