
Laos and WHO in partnership to eliminate snail fever among children
PHNOM PENH: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Lao Health Ministry will spend RM5 million (US$1.18 million) to eliminate the parasitic disease schistosomiasis that has been affecting thousands of children in the landlocked country.
Authorities will implement several measures over the next two years to interrupt schistosomiasis transmission to achieve zero cases of new locally transmitted infections in snails, animals, and humans, according to a WHO Laos media release.
Schistosomiasis, or snail fever, is transmitted by parasitic worm-infected snails living in contaminated water.
Symptoms of the tropical disease include stomach pain, enlarged liver, and blood in the urine or stool. Left unchecked, it can even cause infertility or bladder cancer, said WHO.
The activities will be jointly funded by the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
"Schistosomiasis has been a persistent challenge for many years. Despite our efforts to prevent transmission and eliminate schistosomiasis, the disease continues to affect thousands, especially children.
"This new funding and collaboration will enhance our capacity and enable us to intensify our control measures and move closer to elimination,' said Lao Health Minister Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.
According to WHO, schistosomiasis impacts almost 240 million people worldwide.
In Laos, the disease affects about 120,000 people in Champasack Province's Khong and Mounlapamok districts across 202 villages. Most school-aged children are at risk, said the statement.
China's GDF will provide RM2.93 million (US$680,263) and SDC will channel RM2.16 million (US$500,590) for the project.
"Schistosomiasis is an unwelcome health risk causing a range of tragic health impacts - one that we are close to eliminating. Sustained investment and commitment have meant that less than one per cent of people living in high-risk locations are infected.
"But with children and adults risking infection through poor hygiene, farming, and outdoor and recreational activities, the risk to health and further transmission remains,' read the WHO statement, citing its representative in Laos, Dr Tim Armstrong. - Bernama

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sinar Daily
8 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
WHO warns of rising Covid-19 cases due to new variant
While the organisation confirmed that the new variant does not pose a greater health risk than previous strains, it noted that the continued evolution of the virus could lead to new waves of infection. 09 Jun 2025 06:05pm An old sign in a window of a closed business asks customers to wear a mask to prevent the spread of Covid-19 as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic on March 13, 2025 in New York City. - (Photo by SPENCER PLATT / AFP) WASHINGTON - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a rise in Covid-19 infections linked to the emergence of a new variant, NB.1.8.1, which is currently under investigation, Emirates News Agency reported. While the organisation confirmed that the new variant does not pose a greater health risk than previous strains, it noted that the continued evolution of the virus could lead to new waves of infection. This photograph shows a logo of the World Health Organisation displayed on the facade of organisation's headquarters in Geneva on April 23, 2025. - (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP) WHO stated that the current increase aligns with the virus's seasonal pattern and emphasised that the need for hospitalisation or intensive care remains limited due to widespread community immunity and vaccination coverage. The global health body classified the overall global risk level as "high", urging countries to strengthen health surveillance, integrate Covid-19 into seasonal respiratory disease strategies, combat misinformation, and encourage individuals to adhere to preventive measures. - BERNAMA More Like This


The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
WHO warns of rising Covid-19 cases due to new variant; many countries are reporting big numbers in cases
SOUTH-EAST ASIA (Bernama-WAM): The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a rise in Covid-19 infections linked to the emergence of a new variant, NB.1.8.1, which is currently under investigation, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. While the organisation confirmed that the new variant does not pose a greater health risk than previous strains, it noted that the continued evolution of the virus could lead to new waves of infection. In recent international reports, many countries, including those in South-East Asia, have reported rising Covid-19 cases. WHO stated that the current increase aligns with the virus's seasonal pattern and emphasised that the need for hospitalisation or intensive care remains limited due to widespread community immunity and vaccination coverage. The global health body classified the overall global risk level as "high', urging countries to strengthen health surveillance, integrate Covid-19 into seasonal respiratory disease strategies, combat misinformation, and encourage individuals to adhere to preventive measures. - Bernama-WAM


Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
WHO warns of rising Covid-19 cases due to new variant
A picture taken on March 9, 2020 shows the logo of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the entrance of their headquarters in Geneva. – AFP photo WASHINGTON (June 9): The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a rise in COVID-19 infections linked to the emergence of a new variant, NB.1.8.1, which is currently under investigation, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. While the organisation confirmed that the new variant does not pose a greater health risk than previous strains, it noted that the continued evolution of the virus could lead to new waves of infection. WHO stated that the current increase aligns with the virus's seasonal pattern and emphasised that the need for hospitalisation or intensive care remains limited due to widespread community immunity and vaccination coverage. The global health body classified the overall global risk level as 'high', urging countries to strengthen health surveillance, integrate COVID-19 into seasonal respiratory disease strategies, combat misinformation, and encourage individuals to adhere to preventive measures. – Bernama-WAM covid-19 health new variant world health organisation