T

he management of Lore Lindu National Park (TNLL) in Central Sulawesi is researching the possible spread of schistosomiasis '€” also known as snail fever '€” a potentially fatal parasitic disease.

TNLL conservation and technical affairs head Ahmad Yani revealed the park was working together with the Donggala regency Health Office to study the possible spread of the disease in residential areas near the park.

'€œWe will deploy a special team, consisting of two members from TNLL and four members from the Donggala Animal-borne Disease Control and Research Center [P2BN2],'€ Yani told The Jakarta Post in Palu over the weekend.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by infected worms classified in the genus Schistosoma.

There are three species of Schistosoma found in humans, specifically Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni.

In Indonesia, schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, is endemic in two regions of Central Sulawesi '€” the Lindu highlands in Sigi regency and the Napu highlands in Poso regency.

Yani said the study aimed to seek information on the possible presence of schistosomiasis in the Bada Valley, which is located in part of Lore Lindu National Park.

According to Yani, the national park has been collaborating with the health office for several years, because snail fever is endemic to several villages in Sigi and Poso regencies, which are also partly included in the park.

Meanwhile, Donggala P2BN2 staff member Anis Nurwidayati said her office would take samples from rats and freshwater snails in the Bada Valley for lab analysis.

According to Anis, infected people suffer from a distended abdomen, pale face and dwindling stamina. The disease can eventually lead to death, if treated late.

If treated quickly, Anis added, the disease can be cured. However, the cost of medicine is quite high and it is not sold in
pharmacies. '€œWe have to order it specially from the World Health Organization,'€ said Anis.

The Lindu and Napu highlands areas have been subject to the rare disease for decades.

The residential areas are also partly included in the TNLL, close to conservation areas, so they require serious attention from the government.

Consequently, when people visit both areas, they are warned not to come into contact with water, as the Schistosoma japonicum worm breeds in water and could become a source of schistosomiasis, which can lead to liver disorders as well as death.

'€œIf it is diagnosed late, it could be fatal,'€ Central Sulawesi Health Office head Ansayari told the Post on a separate occasion.

Ansayari said that people had been warned not to come into contact with water because the parasites lay eggs, or mirasidium, in water.

The mirasidium then enter snails'€™ bodies and breed to become sporakista I and sporakista II, which develop into serkaria.