Verspreidingsoecologie van Biomphalaria Glabrata (Say, 1818) in relatie tot bilharziasis in Suriname / Dispersal ecology of Biophalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) in relation to bilharziasis in Suriname

ABSTRACT

Reflects some aspects of tropical Suriname, with a historical outline on Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) in Suriname. Mentions environmental factors of the vectors, as well as the environment of Biomphalaria glabrata in Suriname. B. glabrata occurs only in a small strip along the northern coast of Suriname, because of the eutrofic brakish or fresh swamp water. Bilharziasis creates an significant medical and social problem in Suriname. Mostly people on and near the shell dunes are infected, but hunters and fishermen can also become infected in the wetlands where B. glabrata occurs. The contact of man with contaminated water should be decreased by good water supplies and the fight against snails. Significant correlations show that Mikania micrantha is a good indicator plant for the presence of B. glabrata. In the fight against snails man should also keep the co-hosts in mind. B. straminea should be considered a possible vector in Suriname. This calls for an in-depth study into this matter