Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a chronic disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma and multicellular. It is the most severe form of parasitism by multicellular organism, killing thousands of people every year.
There are six species of Schistosoma that can cause schistosomiasis man: S. hematobium, S. intercalatum, S. japonicum, S. malayensis, S. mansoni and S. mekongi. Of these, only S. mansoni is found in the Americas.
Treatment
The treatment is done with antiparasitic drugs (praziquantel or oxamniquine) to kill the parasite within the body and lasts 1 or 2 days.
Developing a vaccine is based on isolating the protein SM14. http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Mundo/Brasil/Interior.aspx?content_id=2605797 already been developed.
Prevention
To prevent contamination of the parasite is important that there are also the identification and treatment of individuals with the parasite. The treatment of basic sanitation, and water treatment and sewage and also combat the parasite host is very important in order to have the prevention of this disease. Another measure is also very important to health education. It is important that people are aware of the measures that can help combat and prevent Schistosomiasis.