FAO Digital Media Hub - PHILIPPINES 1973. Controlling Schistosomiasis

PHILIPPINES 1973. Controlling Schistosomiasis

CONTROL OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS THROUGH AGRO-ENGINEERING METHODS, Philippines, 1973.
WFP volunteers in Leyte Province, having prepared a molluscicide from sodium pentachloraphemate, put it in a large banana leaves in which it will be carried to streams for use in schistosomiasis control.
Schistosomiasis (Biharziasis) is an epidemic disease caused by parasitic micro-organisms, known as blood flukes, entering human tissue from infected water. The species of this snail-borne disease, ӓchistosomiasis Japonicum", is prevalent in several parts of the Philippines where it is a serious health problem affecting more than half a million Filipinos in 19 provinces. After a thorough study on the epidemiology of the disease and the biology of the snail intermediate host, the government has been endeavouring, with assistance from WHO, UNICEF and FAO, to apply the most suitable and economical control measures. Following a pilot project carried out in Leyte province, the most effective controls were found to include drainage and channelling of waterlogged areas, grading of low places and depressions, digging of fishponds, the use of molluscicides and improved agricultural practices to bring down the snail populations and reduce the transmission of the disease. The UN/FAO World Food Programme is providing assistance as an incentive to attract and mobilize male adults from each project area to work on a self-help basis. For each man-day of work performed, the voluteers on this five-year project receive protein-rich rations for themselves and their families at a total cost to WFP of $414,000.



Undated photo

01/01/1973

Country Philippines

Credit © WFP/FAO photo by P. Almasy

UNFAO Source FAO Photo Library

File size 1.02 MB

Unique ID UF130AE

FAO. Editorial use only. Photo credit must be given.