Addressing schistosomiasis in the Philippines: Need for a coordinated intersectoral effort

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized schistosomiasis as one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by parasitic blood flukes. With a 4.68% national prevalence in 2017, schistosomiasis is endemic in 28 provinces in the Philippines[1,2]. Having agriculture as a common source of livelihood, the country is vulnerable to schistosomiasis as this disease is transmitted when a larva, released by freshwater snails, penetrates the skin of a susceptible individual. In fact, it was estimated that 12.4 million Filipinos are at risk, while 2.7 million are directly exposed to the parasite[2]. This remains to be a major public health concern as it contributes to a considerable morbidity and mortality. In children, this disease causes malnutrition and impaired cognitive development. Globally, schistosomiasis as an NTD puts the burden on poverty-stricken areas, especially in low- and middle�income countries, exacerbating the health inequality within a country and across the globe. To address this, the Philippines implements the National Schistosomiasis Control and Elimination Program, highlighting mass drug administration and preventive chemotherapy as the main strategies for managing morbidity. While this program is a positive step, the government needs to make additional efforts to effectively control schistosomiasis.