Epidemic Schistosoma mansoni in a known S-haematobium area

An epidemic of bloody diarrhoea was observed in 1997 and 1998 in Bessoum, n orth Cameroon. Of 1176 inhabitants, 16.7% went for medical consultation to a public health centre located 10 km away. This epidemic was probably due t o the recent introduction of Schistosoma mansoni in an ancient focus of S. haematobium, following the development of irrigated farming. The prevalence s amongst primary school children were 76.6% for S. haematobium in urine, a nd 60.9% for S. mansoni in stool. S. mansoni was found in urine in 28.1%. T his epidemic emergence may be secondary to interspecific competition betwee n the 2 schistosomes.