The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium says it has achieved a milestone by administering arpraziquantel to the first preschool-aged child for the treatment of schistosomiasis, otherwise known as snail fever.
It was disclosed that Uganda became the first country to introduce arpraziquantel to children under five, marking a significant step toward expanding treatment access.
According to a statement, this marks an advancement in the fight against one of the world’s most prevalent parasitic diseases, which disproportionately affects young children in sub-Saharan Africa.
It noted that schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, impacts an estimated 250 million people worldwide, including 50 million preschool-aged children.
The disease, caused by parasitic worms, leads to severe health complications such as malnutrition, anemia, stunted growth, and cognitive impairment.
In chronic cases, it can cause organ damage or death.
“Despite these risks, no child-friendly treatment was previously available, leaving millions vulnerable,” the statement noted.
It was stated that arpraziquantel is a 150Mg dispersible tablet formulated specifically for children aged three months to six years.
The statement noted that the tablet is designed to be palatable and easy to administer while the treatment is also stable in hot and humid climates, making it ideal for use in endemic regions.
The consortium noted that that it received a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency in December 2023 and was added to the World Health Organisation’s List of Prequalified Medicines in May 2024.
Inclusion in the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines Products is being expected this year.
The public health specialist at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and co-lead of the Consortium’s ADOPT programme, Peter Steinmann, said, “We are proud to have reached this critical milestone. By addressing the medical needs of preschool-aged children, we are closing a significant treatment gap and advancing the fight against schistosomiasis.”
The first doses were administered as part of the Consortium’s ADOPT programme in Uganda, integrating the new treatment into existing healthcare platforms.
Furthermore, the initiative is aligned with the WHO’s roadmap for the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Also, the Programme Manager for Bilharzia & Worm Control at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Prudence Beinamaryo, said, “As the first country to introduce arpraziquantel to young children, Uganda has reached a historic milestone in expanding access to treatment.”
On her part, the Senior Medical Officer and ADOPT Programme Principal Investigator, Dr Hilda Kyarisiima, said, “Lessons from Uganda’s rollout will shape future scale-up efforts and strengthen global efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis.”
He mentioned that following Uganda, arpraziquantel will be introduced in other schistosomiasis-endemic countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal.
He added that the Consortium is collaborating with local health ministries and global organisations to ensure equitable and sustainable access.
It was disclosed that the treatment will be available on an at-cost basis, supporting long-term public health improvements and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
“This breakthrough represents a significant step toward eliminating schistosomiasis and improving health outcomes for millions of children worldwide,” the statement concluded.
