SCHISTOSOMIASIS VACCINES - FAREWELL TO THE GOD OF PLAGUE

Control and even eradication of schistosomiasis have been achieved in some countries using integrated measures but this disease remains ende mic in 74 countries with 600 million at risk of whom 200 million are c urrently infected. The application of control measures, particularly p opulation-based chemotherapy, has in many countries greatly reduced th e incidence of serious disease manifestations, but vaccines are urgent ly needed to supplement existing control measures. Great advances are being made in vaccine development and the first clinical trials are ex pected to begin shortly.