Botswana General Health Risks: Schistosomiasis

Infection is transmitted by snails living in fresh water such as lakes, rivers, streams and ponds in Africa, and some countries in Southeast Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.

Schistosomiasis risk is present in the described areas only:

S. mansoni is present in North-West District particularly along the Okavango River and marshlands, and in the villages along the Chobe River.

S. haematobium has been reported along the Limpopo River valley and its tributaries. Localized risk has been reported in Mabule (on the Molopo River), Kanye, and the northeastern areas of Southern District; Lobatse, Otse, Ramotswa, and Gaborone in South-East District; Molepolole and the southeastern areas of Kweneng District; Mochudi and southern areas of Kgatleng District; Xhumo, Nata and areas extending north between the Limpopo River and Palapye (Central District); Francistown (North-East District); Tsau, Maun, Kavimba, Kasane, and Pandamatenga (North-West District).

Note: The districts of Kgalagadi and Ghanzi (Kalahari Desert) are risk free. Botswana has implemented an integrated Schistosomiasis elimination plan which has kept the disease under control. Risk increases with rainfall and water flow patterns.

Risk of Schistosomiasis caused by: Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni

The main intermediate host snail is: Bulinus globosus, Bulinus africanus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi