Burden of disease

Chronic schistosomiasis reduces the capacity of those infected to work and in some cases can result in death. In children schistosomiasis can cause anaemia, stunting and a reduced ability to learn. A review of disease burden estimated that more than 200 000 deaths per year are due to schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. The burden of disease due to schistosomiasis is underestimated. The Expert Committee on Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis reviewed recent data on the morbidity and mortality due to schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and endorsed the new estimates.

Current estimated total number of individuals with morbidity and mortality due to Schistosomiasis Haematobium and S. Mansoni infection in Sub-Saharan Africa