KEMRI Experts Lead the Way in Schistosomiasis Control at International Conference.

Researchers from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Principal Lab Analysts Dr. Geoffrey Maina and Dr. Martin Mutuku, presented innovative strategies for combating schistosomiasis at the 14th Annual International Scientific Conference organized by the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS). The Conference held from November 13th to 16th, 2024 in Mwanza, Tanzania was themed “One Health and Global Health Security.” The KEMRI team showcased innovative, sustainable, ecological solutions to eliminate bilharziatransmitting snails, offering a transformative approach to addressing this critical and pressing public health challenge.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or kichocho, is a freshwater snail-borne infection that affects people who come into contact with contaminated water while bathing, working in irrigation schemes, swimming, or crossing streams barefoot. Control of bilharzia has traditionally relied on the drug praziquantel, administered to schoolgoing children and, more recently, entire communities. However, cases of parasite resistance to this first-line treatment are emerging. Molluscicides, another common control method, pose risks to non-target species and the environment, necessitating alternative approaches.

In response, Dr. Geoffrey Maina presented his study titled “Harnessing Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, to Eliminate Schistosome-Transmitting Snails in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya.” His research demonstrated that introducing crayfish into irrigation schemes effectively eradicated populations of bilharziatransmitting snails. Surveys conducted between October 2023 and August 2024 confirmed the complete absence of these snails in Mwea.

Complementing this, Dr. Martin Mutuku also shared findings from his research, “Presence of an Invasive Exotic Freshwater Snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae), in Mwea Irrigation Scheme: Towards a Natural Elimination of Schistosomiasis in Central Kenya.” His study highlighted how invasive apple snails contributed to reducing populations of bilharzia-carrying snails, accelerating progress toward disease control hence providing an unintentional but highly effective ecological solution.

The impact of these strategies was evident in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, where no bilharzia-carrying snails were detected during the most recent surveys. Moreover, screening of schoolchildren and local community members revealed no cases of schistosomiasis. During the most recent assessments. These findings align with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) roadmap for neglected tropical diseases, which emphasizes snail control as a cornerstone of eliminating schistomiasis as a public health issue by 2030.

KEMRI’s contributions at the CUHAS conference showcased Kenya’s leadership in innovative, sustainable public health interventions. The harnessing of natural predators like crayfish and leveraging the unintended benefits of invasive species like apple snails, KEMRI researchers are paving the way for innovative approaches to disease control.