Genital Schistosomiasis

Genital schistosomiasis now more accurately called Urogenital schistosomiasis (also known as bilharziasis) is a parasitic infection of the genitals which affects men and women, causing chronic illness. The infectious agent (one of five species of flatworms, Schistosoma haematobium) is transmitted via tainted water. It is the eggs shed by the worm and not the worm itself, however, which cause the damage. An estimated 9–13 million women are afflicted with urogenital schistosomiasis, primarily in 53 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. The disease may be controlled with antiparasitics and improved education and hygiene.