A report published by the national programme for the fight against Schistosomiasis and helminthiasis shows two million Cameroonians suffered from bilharzia in 2016. The study shows children aged between six and 15 were the most affected.

During the first conference organised in Yaounde recently to accelerate the fight against this disease in Cameroon, the health experts present, said that the contamination comes through fresh water during activities such as water chores and laundry in rivers. Experts say fishermen and farmers are the most threatened.

As for symptoms, the patient may experience abdominal pain. He/she may have dysentery with stools containing mucus and blood or inflammation of the bladder and bloody urinea.