The first Malacology Bulletin of São Miguel has been launched, providing new data on medically important molluscs and highlighting the importance of integrated malacological, epidemiological and molecular surveillance of urogenital schistosomiasis in Cabo Verde.
Urogenital schistosomiasis, caused by the parasite Schistosoma haematobium, is a public health concern whose transmission is associated with contact with contaminated freshwater and the presence of freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus, which act as intermediate hosts of the parasite.
In Cabo Verde, the identification of autochthonous cases of urogenital schistosomiasis in the municipality of São Miguel since 2022 has reinforced the need to strengthen epidemiological, environmental and malacological surveillance. In this context, monitoring medically important molluscs is essential to understand transmission dynamics, identify areas at risk and support the implementation of effective prevention and control measures.
Against this background, the Medical Entomology Laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Pública (INSP), in collaboration with the Municipality of São Miguel, has been carrying out malacological surveillance and research activities aimed at increasing knowledge of the mollusc species present in the municipality, as well as their geographical distribution, abundance and epidemiological relevance.
The first bulletin presents the results of a malacological survey conducted in São Miguel based on field activities carried out on 23 April and 26 May 2026. The survey revealed a wide distribution of molluscs of medical importance, with the genus Bulinus accounting for 84.2% of all specimens collected. This finding is of particular epidemiological relevance given the role of Bulinus as the principal intermediate host of S. haematobium.
Complementary epidemiological surveillance
As part of the fieldwork, human urine samples were also collected for complementary epidemiological surveillance. Molecular PCR analysis detected S. haematobium in all 13 samples analysed (100%; 13/13). The samples will undergo genetic characterisation to investigate the diversity and origin of the circulating parasite strains.
Recommendations for prevention
The bulletin highlights the importance of community engagement and preventive measures, including signposting potentially contaminated water bodies, avoiding contact with water from these sites, not urinating in water tanks, and strengthening community awareness of schistosomiasis transmission and prevention.
Contribution of VBD-GHTM researchers
Manuela Calado and Pedro Ferreira, researchers at VBD-GHTM Research Group, contributed to this initiative, reinforcing the GHTM | IHMT NOVA’s involvement in research and scientific collaboration addressing medically important biodiversity and parasitic diseases.
Their participation in the first Malacology Bulletin of São Miguel reflects the importance of multidisciplinary approaches that bring together biodiversity research, medical entomology, molecular surveillance and public health. Such collaboration is essential for understanding the ecological and epidemiological factors underlying schistosomiasis transmission and for supporting evidence-based prevention and control strategies.
Strengthening surveillance and control
The results presented in the bulletin provide an important baseline for future malacological and epidemiological surveillance in São Miguel. The high abundance of Bulinus spp., together with the molecular detection of S. haematobium in human samples, reinforces the need to maintain and expand surveillance activities, including broader spatial and temporal sampling.
The presence of positive human cases demonstrates the continued risk of transmission and highlights the importance of sustained collaboration between research institutions, public health authorities, local authorities and communities.
Continued malacological surveys and molecular analyses will be essential to monitor changes in the epidemiological situation, identify risk areas at an early stage and support the implementation of targeted prevention and control measures against urogenital schistosomiasis in Cabo Verde.
The launch of the first Malacology Bulletin of São Miguel therefore represents an important contribution to scientific knowledge, public health surveillance and the understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and disease transmission in Cabo Verde.
The full results and detailed findings are available in the Malacology Bulletin of São Miguel, available here.
