Schistosomiasis in Cambodian refugees at Ban-Kaeng holding centre, Prachinburi province, Thailand

Abstract

The epidemiologic investigation on schistosomiasis in 21,496 Cambodian refugees residing at Ban-Kaeng Holding Centre was conducted by using the skin sensitivity test as a screening test. A positive diagnosis of Schistosoma mekongi was confirmed in 74 of these cases through ova recovery in the stool. The resultant prevalence of schistosomiasis in Ban-Kaeng Refugee Holding Center was 3.44 cases per 1,000 population. All of the positive cases came from areas in Cambodia where schistosomiasis has not been previously reported. 60 out of 74 schistosomiasis cases were from Battambang province in Cambodia. This study indicates that schistosomiasis in Cambodia at present is more widespread than has previously been reported.