Abstract

ABSTRACT
Kiri is an endemic area for schistosomiasis infection with little information available on transmission patterns. This is very crucial in designing an effective strategy for control. Therefore, a longitudinal study on the transmission patterns of freshwater snails was undertaken in five water contact sites selected after a preliminary study. Three schistosome intermediate host snails namely Bulinus globosus, Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi all of which had natural infections were encountered. Similar pattern of density fluctuation was observed among infected Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi in all sites studied. Population density generally increased during the early part of the dry season and peak densities were recorded during the dry season (February to April). This was followed by a decline during the rainy season, due to high water tide and velocity as well as less human activities. Transmission was observed to be all through the year with intense transmission between February to April. Although, a similar fluctuation pattern was observed between sites, the density of infected snails varied significantly (p

Key words: Keywords: Freshwater snails, Transmission patterns, Kiri dam.