Japan 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.

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Schistosomiasis transmission is interrupted. The country is awaiting evaluation and verification from the World Health Organization for confirmation.

Transmission of S. japonicum has been interrupted in humans and the disease is considered eradicated from Japan. However, the intermediate snail host Oncomelania nosophora is present in the Kofu basin (Yamanashi Prefecture) and along the Obitsu River (Chiba Prefecture). Monitoring programs continue to be in place.

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