Ghana must deal with Invasive Alien Species - Ayittey Nov 4, 2009
The weed also contributes to the prevalence of diseases such as bilharzia and malaria especially in the Volta River system, where water hyacinth is a refuge for the intermediate hosts of the parasites. Ms Ayittey said in the Tano River and lagoon complex as well as the Volta River systems, water hyacinth and Kariba weeds had adversely affected fisheries, water supplies and the livelihood of the people living in those communities. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Cases of malaria reduced in Gomoa East Aug 11, 2009
measures to contain the outbreak of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) reported in Ekwamkrom and its environs. He cautioned the people against bathing in streams and stagnant waters. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Editorial: Does Africa Need Food Aid? Jul 29, 2009
You'll like the environmental side effects of its clearance, too- reduced flooding, Quelea, malaria, bilharzia, cholera,and yellow fever. Other things that will help everywhere include rainwater harvesting and container gardening. (allAfrica.com)
Researchers Help Crack Parasite Genome, Identify Drug Leads Jul 21, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 20, 2009) Two recent UCSF research papers are marking major breakthroughs in the effort to tackle schistosomiasis (bilharzia), a tropical disease that infects more than 200 million people worldwide and causes long-term debilitating illness and occasional paralysis or death. See also. (Science Daily)
Science uncovers genetic secrets of killer parasites Jul 17, 2009
The worms, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, are the major cause of the debilitating disease schistosomiasis, otherwise known as Bilharzia. Scientists, according to the international study published in the journal, Mature, have already uncovered targets for new treatments for the disease, which causes fever and fatigue. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
UCSF researchers help crack parasite genome, identify drug leads Jul 16, 2009
Two UCSF research papers this week are marking major breakthroughs in the effort to tackle schistosomiasis (bilharzia), a tropical disease that infects more than 200 million people worldwide and causes long-term debilitating illness and occasional paralysis or death. One paper documents a multinational success, led by a team at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, in England, in sequencing the genome of the Schistosoma mansoni blood fluke, which has taken nearly a decade to achieve, researchers... (EurekAlert!)
Scientists decode genome of deadly parasitic worm Jul 16, 2009
-- Scientists have sequenced the genome of the parasite that causes intestinal schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever), a devastating tropical disease that afflicts more than 200 million people in the developing world. Najib El-Sayed, associate professor in the University of Maryland's College of Chemical and Life Sciences, led the transatlantic research team, along with Matthew Berriman of the UK's Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. (EurekAlert!)
Killer parasites' genes decoded Jul 16, 2009
Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum both cause the debilitating disease schistomiasis, otherwise known as Bilharzia. The work has already uncovered targets for new treatments for the disease, which causes fever and fatigue. (BBC News -- Health)
Egypt: Viral Time Bomb Set to Explode May 6, 2009
In the 1960s, the government turned to modern medicine in the hope of eradicating bilharzia, a water-borne parasite that has plagued Egyptian farmers since the dawn of time. In a tragic irony, the tartar-emetic injections given to Egyptians living in rural areas cured their bilharzia, but spread another deadly disease among the population, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) ... "At that time, bilharzia treatment was administered intravenously," recalls Dr. Refaat Kamel, a prominent surgeon and... (allAfrica.com)
The Right to Water - Borehole brings unity to a Ugandan village Mar 22, 2009
Drinking and cooking with contaminated water can lead to life-threatening diseases such as diarrhoea, bilharzia and cholera. Once a family member is sick, already limited funds must be spent on medicines. (AlertNet)
