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IMAGE: Karena Nguyen in the Emory biology lab with two freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for the parasites that cause schistosomiasis. view more
Credit: Rachel Hartman
About one billion people worldwide are at risk for schistosomiasis a debilitating disease caused by parasitic worms that live in fresh water and in intermediate snail hosts. A new study finds that the transmission risk for schistosomiasis peaks when water warms to 21.7 degrees centigrade, and that the most effective interventions should include snail removal measures implemented when the temperature is below that risk threshold.
The
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published the results, led by Emory University, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida.