In August 2024 MSF medical teams recorded high positivity rate of schistosomiasis, with approximately one in every 10 of urine samples of patients with urogenital symptoms testing positive for the infection. Particularly concerning is the finding that 88.8% of people with haematuria (blood in urine) tested positive for schistosomiasis, underscoring the urgent need for a mass treatment campaign.
This high numbers of schistosomiasis in Dagahaley can be attributed to various factors such as limited access to clean water and sanitation, notably a consequence of the over-stretched and underprioritized water, sanitation and hygiene services in the camp, cultural practices involving contact with contaminated water sources, lack of awareness about the disease, all exacerbated by socioeconomic challenges.
The camps have also suffered devastating impact of floods where population has been displaced while contaminated stagnant water acts as breeding ground for vectors that cause diseases like, schistosomiasis, dengue, and malaria.
On 13th February, MSF teams began a mass drug (Praziquantel tablet) administration in Dagahaley camp targeting at least 70950 people who should receive mass preventive treatment to help control the disease. And reduce the number of patients affected with those symptoms.