.. Schistosomiasis, Intestinal Worms Detected In 18 LGAs
Boluwatife Olabode
Health experts in Ogun State have raised serious concern over the alarming spread of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH), across communities in the state.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the diseases, largely associated with poor sanitation, open defecation, and unhygienic practices, have now been detected in 18 out of the 20 local government areas of the state, according to the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control and Elimination Programme.
Speaking on Thursday, during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting with journalists for the Schol Deworming Programme, held in Abeokuta, Ademuyiwa Sunday, an officer with the state NTD programme, described schistosomiasis as a chronic parasitic disease caused by worms that enter the body through contact with infected freshwater.
“Once the parasite penetrates the skin, it can cause blood in urine or stool, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and even kidney failure,” Ademuyiwa explained.
He said the disease thrives in rural and riverine areas where residents often bathe, wash, or fetch water from infected rivers and streams.
Deputy Coordinator of the NTD programme, Kafil Emiola Maryam Agbolajo, warned that women and children remain the most vulnerable groups due to frequent exposure and poor health-seeking behaviour.
“Females can easily contract schistosomiasis, and if left untreated, it can lead to miscarriage, abnormal discharge, and body odour,” Agbolajo said. “Many people ignore the symptoms because they think it’s normal in their community.”
She lamented that most medical practitioners in the state are not yet fully aware of the disease, stressing that the ministry has begun sensitisation and diagnostic training for health workers.
“We are just introducing the disease to some of them. When we suspect schistosomiasis, we ask patients whether they’ve had contact with rivers, and we use microscopes to confirm it,” she added.
On soil-transmitted helminths, Agbolajo noted that the infection spreads through contaminated soil, especially in communities where open defecation persists and where residents lack access to proper toilets.
“Children who play around contaminated areas and adults who use unhygienic restrooms or eat without washing their hands are at high risk,” she said. “Those who keep long fingernails also risk infection because dirt and eggs of worms can hide under the nails.”
Health experts warn that soil-transmitted helminths can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, malnutrition, anaemia, and reduced school performance among children.
To curb the spread, the Ogun State Ministry of Health has embarked on mass drug administration in schools and community awareness campaigns. The team also advocates for safe water practices, snail control, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene.
“The main treatment for schistosomiasis is praziquantel, which is administered as a single or double dose depending on the severity,” Agbolajo said.
She listed some of the local government areas currently being targeted for intervention to include Ewekoro, Odeda, Ogun Waterside, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Imeko Afon, Remo North, Ikenne, Yewa North, and Yewa South.
The health officials urged residents to take hygiene seriously and to avoid contact with contaminated water and soil, warning that ignorance and nonchalance continue to fuel the spread of these preventable diseases.
He warned “once you touch infected water or soil, you can spread it to others,” Agbolajo cautioned. “We want our people to know that these diseases are not normal. They can be treated and prevented.”
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