Implementing One Health strategies to control fascioliasis and schistosomiasis, Tanzania-Rwanda

WHO/TDR a. Craggs

Overview

Project 7: One Health approach to controlling and understanding the dynamics of fascioliasis and schistosomiasis in the context of climate change (United Republic of Tanzania and Rwanda)

Lead institutions: Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI); Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA); University of Rwanda

This study aims to develop and implement One Health strategies for the control of fresh-water snail populations as a means to disrupt the transmission cycles of fascioliasis and schistosomiasis from livestock to humans. Although fascioliasis and schistosomiasis have been reported in humans in the region, there have been very few follow-up studies to understand the vector population dynamics and risk factors for transmission in the context of climate change. Furthermore, a large proportion of the populations that practice agriculture or livestock keeping are at high risk of infestation with the flukes.

This study will co-develop comprehensive One Health approaches in the United Republic of Tanzania and Rwanda to tackle the complex transmission-enabling environment of the snail-borne trematodiases around fresh water-sources. WASH and the climatic impacts on community activities around natural water bodies that directly/ indirectly influence the livelihoods of at-risk communities, food safety and animal produce value chain will be incorporated into the control strategies for these communities.

Objectives

Build capacity and train healthcare and veterinary diagnosticians on snail-borne trematodiases.
Determine the point prevalence of fascioliasis and schistosomiasis among high-risk populations of humans and animals in selected regions of northern Tanzania and Rwanda.
Determine the association between snail-vector populations in natural habitats around at-risk populations and the changes in climatic indices.
Co-develop sustainable and evidence-based One Health approaches for the control of snail vectors responsible for fascioliasis and schistosomiasis transmission with stakeholders and policy-makers in the United Republic of Tanzania and Rwanda.

Project photos