Climate change and schistosomiasis: the impact of rising temperatures on snails transmitting schistosoma species

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Dokmak H.-A.A.
Journal: Molluscan Research
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Publication Date: 20 December 2025
Volume / Issue: Volume 46 / Issue 1
Pages: 1–12
ISSN: 13235818
DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2025.2598082
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Dokmak H.-A.A., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Freshwater snails are significant vectors for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms, and they also hold veterinary importance as hosts for various diseases. Climate change significantly influences the transmission of schistosomiasis by affecting these snails. Changes in temperature impact their growth, reproduction, and survival, with each species exhibiting distinct optimal temperature ranges. This can result in shifts in snail populations and the distribution of the disease. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns expand the geographic range of snails, increasing infection risk in regions such as eastern Africa, China, and Brazil. Temperature plays a critical role in parasite development and snail survival, with varying temperature tolerances among snail species affecting disease transmission dynamics. Rather than merely expanding transmission areas, climate change may shift them, potentially pushing African snail species out of their thermal comfort zones. To effectively manage climate-sensitive diseases like schistosomiasis, comprehensive public health strategies are essential. This includes developing adaptive plans, prioritising research, and fostering collaboration. Understanding the intricate relationship between climate change and disease transmission is crucial for designing targeted interventions. Enhanced surveillance and control measures are necessary to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the impacts of climate change on schistosomiasis transmission. © 2025 Theodor Bilharz Research Institute. Published by The Malacological Society of Australasia and the Society for the Study of Molluscan Diversity.
Keywords
climate change impacts; schistosoma life cycle; schistosomiasis transmission
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 1
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