An estimated 600 to 700 million people worldwide are at risk from the disease because they live in countries where the organism is common. In 2012, 249 million people were in need of treatment to prevent the disease. This likely makes it the most common parasitic infection with malaria second and causing about 207 million cases in 2013.S. haematobium, the infectious agent responsible for urogenital schistosomiasis, infects over 112 million people annually in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is responsible for 32 million cases of dysuria, 10 million cases of hydronephrosis, and 150,000 deaths from kidney failure annually, making S. haematobium the worlds deadliest schistosome. Deaths
Estimates regarding the number of deaths vary. Worldwide, the Global Burden of Disease Study issued in 2010 estimated 12,000 direct deaths while the WHO in 2014 estimated more than 200,000 annual deaths related to schistosomiasis. Another 20 million have severe consequences from the disease. It is the most deadly of the neglected tropical diseases. History
The most ancient evidence of schistosomiasis dates back to more than 6000 years ago. Studies conducted on human skeletal remains found in northern Syria (5800–4000 BC), demonstrated the evidence of a terminal spined schistosome from the pelvic sediment of skeletal remains. Even if these evidence comes from Syria, it has been suggested that the cradle of schistosomes lies in the region of African great lakes, an area in which both the parasites and their intermediate hosts are in an active state of evolution.
From ancient times to the early 20th century, schistosomiasis symptom of blood in the urine was seen as a male version of menstruation in Egypt and was thus viewed as a rite of passage for boys.Among human parasitic diseases, schistosomiasis ranks second behind malaria in terms of socio-economic and public health importance in tropical and subtropical areas. Research
A proposed vaccine against S. haematobium infection called "Bilhvax" underwent a phase 3 clinical trial among children in Senegal: the results, reported in 2018, showed that it was not effective despite provoking some immune response. Using CRISPR gene editing technology, researchers decreased the symptoms due to schistosomiasis in an animal model. See also
Angiostrongyliasis, another disease transmitted by snails

References
External links

Schistosomiasis at Curlie
River of Hope — documentary about the rise of schistosomiasis along the Senegal river (video, 47 mins)
Schistosomiasis information for travellers from IAMAT (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers)