Enhancing implementation of schistosomiasis control and elimination programmes

In 2012, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA65.21 on the elimination of schistosomiasis, calling on all countries endemic for schistosomiasis to analyze and develop applicable plans with progressive targets, to intensify control interventions towards elimination, to ensure the provision of essential medicines and for WHO to elaborate a procedure to evaluate the interruption of transmission of schistosomiasis.

The implementation of this resolution is supported by WHO technical guidelines and tools and through collaboration with partners, research institutions, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, international development agencies and other United Nations organizations.

The guideline in use for the morbidity control of schistosomiasis is based on the recommendation of the WHO expert committee in 2002.  It was further updated to take into account  additional strategies, the treatment in low prevalence areas and of special groups at risk (in 2006) and the use of a new and more sensitive rapid test for Schistosoma mansoni, the point of care Urine Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) urine cassette tests in 2017.

WHO is working to provide evidence based recommendations to countries to improve implementation of morbidity  control and the move to the eventual  interruption of transmission and its verification. More surveillance surveys are also needed to update the situation and evaluate the impact of interventions.

The Schistosomiasis Guideline Development Group meeting was held in November 2018 to steer work towards the drafting of a revised schistosomiasis implementation guideline. Following this meeting,  technical working groups have been set to develop survey protocols for remapping, impact assessment and the methodology for verification  of interruption of transmission.