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ENVIRONMENT

Fears Grow Over Increase in Bilharzia Cases in Asuogyaman District

The recent water spillage at the Akosombo Dam in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern region has raised concerns about the potential surge of the Schistosoma parasite and the spread of Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) in the aftermath Of the Spillage.

Date Created : 10/24/2023 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : News Ghana/Ghanadistricts.com

Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms. It can be contracted when individuals come into contact with contaminated bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes.

The recent spillage of the Akosombo Dam has caused severe floods in numerous communities downstream of the Volta River. The increased pollution and contaminated water resulting from the flooding may exacerbate the spread of the disease.

The disease is notably associated with bladder cancer, and while there is no vaccine for it, there is a drug available for treatment.

Transmission occurs when larval forms of the parasite, released by freshwater snails, penetrate the skin during contact with infested water.

Further transmission can occur when people suffering from schistosomiasis contaminate freshwater sources with feces or urine containing parasite eggs, which then hatch in the water.

The Ghana Health Service and the Volta River Authority have been periodically administering praziquantel, a prescription medication used to treat the disease, to the affected population.

The transmission of the Schistosoma parasite occurs when larval forms released by freshwater snails penetrate the skin during contact with infested water. Further transmission can occur when infected individuals contaminate freshwater sources with feces or urine containing parasite eggs, which then hatch in the water.

The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has advised residents in flood-affected communities to refrain from drinking raw water from the river or swimming in it to protect themselves from infestation with the Schistosoma parasite and other waterborne infections.

Residents are urged to thoroughly boil water fetched from the lake, allow it to cool down, and filter it before use. This precaution is necessary due to the severe pollution of the river caused by the flooding, including the presence of rubbish and human excreta.

Prevalence situation in Asuogyaman district has raised significant concerns as the spillage of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam has caused severe floods in numerous communities downstream of the Volta River, potentially exacerbating the spread of the disease due to the increased pollution.