INSP is stepping up its fieldwork to assess the situation regarding the schistosomiasis outbreak in São Miguel

Praia, 27 May (Inforpress) – The National Institute of Public Health (INSP), in partnership with national institutions in Portugal, stepped up its fieldwork on Monday to assess the situation regarding the schistosomiasis epidemic in the municipality of Calheta de São Miguel.

According to the president of the INSP, speaking to Inforpress, technical teams carried out the fourth round of inspections and direct monitoring in the affected areas.

In this fourth round, Maria da Luz Lima stated that the organisation had received support from the Calheta de São Miguel Health Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Lisbon.

“Experts from Lisbon are assisting with the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analysis of the vectors. We are also receiving support from fishermen and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, who have helped to identify sources of infection in watercourses,” he said, emphasising that the parasite is found in freshwater molluscs present in ponds and streams.

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