Occurrence of snail intermediate host of schistosomiasis: implication for schistosomiasis control based on mass drug administration of praziquantel in Benue State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease that is still ravaging many rural community dwellers in Nigeria. Different species of freshwater snails, such as Bulinus and Biomphalaria, play passive roles in the transmission of schistosomiasis. A study on the occurrence of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes was conducted following mass praziquantel administration in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine the prevalence of freshwater snails. incriminated in transmitting schistosomiasis and their cercaria infectivity. A total of 24,812 freshwater snails belonging to six different genera (Bulinus globosus, B. forskalii, Pila ovata, Lanistes lybicus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and Lymnaea natalensis were encountered. Snails collected were kept under laboratory conditions for cercaria emergence. B. globosus, B. forskalii, and B. pfeifferi were identified as vectors of Schistosomes because they secreted cercaria of S. haematobium and S. mansoni, respectively. Parasite infection was higher in the ponds (83.33 %); followed by dams (68.57 %)) and streams (53.33 %). There was positive correlation (r = 0.657; P < 0.05) between the amount of rainfall and abundance of all snail species and their infection rate collected except Biomphalaria species that showed a negative correlation. The studies, therefore, call for Consideration of snails control to be integrated with Praziquantel Mass Drug Advocacy Campaigns so as to achieve transmission interruption.