Urogenital schistosomiasis transmission on Unguja Island, Zanzibar: characterisation of persistent hot-spots

16 Dec 2016
Tom Pennance, Bobbie Person, Mtumweni Ali Muhsin, Alipo Naim Khamis, Juma Muhsin, Iddi Simba Khamis, Khalfan Abdallah Mohammed, Fatma Kabole, David Rollinson and Stefanie Knopp

Elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis transmission is a priority for the Zanzibar Ministry of Health. Preventative chemotherapy together with additional control interventions have successfully alleviated much of the disease burden. However, a persistently high Schistosoma haematobium prevalence is found in certain areas. Our aim was to characterise and evaluate these persistent “hot-spots” of transmission and reinfection in comparison with low-prevalence areas, to support the intervention planning for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar.