Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic flatworms. People get schistosomiasis by contact with fresh water containing flatworm eggs. Schistosomiasis is treatable. To prevent schistosomiasis, avoid swimming or wading in fresh water when visiting areas where the disease is known to occur. Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease that can cause serious, long-term illness.
Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic flatworms, called schistosomes.
Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, and Schistosoma haematobium cause illness in humans. The worms live in fresh water in the tropics. People get schistosomiasis by skin contact with contaminated fresh water in which certain types of snails that carry schistosomes are living. Infected people pass Schistosoma eggs in their urine and stool. The eggs get into fresh water sources when infected people urinate or defecate in the water.