Conference Agenda

Session

S3: Tropical Health Symposium sponsored by QIMR Berghofer, Centre for Tropical Health & Emerging Diseases

Time:

Tuesday, 30/June/2026:

11:00am - 11:20am

Session Chair: Darren Gray, QIMR Berghofer
Session Chair: Chika Zumuk, Queensland Institute of Medical Research

Location: Lecture Theatre 3

Boulevard Room 1

Presentations

One health approach to elimination of Schistosoma mekongi in Cambodia and Lao PDR: results from a pilot study

Catherine Gordon^1,2, Darren J Gray^2,3, Marcello Sato⁴, Megumi Sato⁵, Yasuhito Sako⁶, Virak Khieu⁷, Somphou Sayasone⁸, Poom Adisakwattana⁹, Kinley Wangdi¹⁰

¹QIMR Berghofer, Infection & Inflammation department, Herston, QLD, Australia; ²Center for Tropical Health and Emerging Diseases; ³QIMR Berghofer, Population Health department, Herston, QLD, Australia; ⁴Niigata University of Pharmacy and Medical and Life Sciences, Niigata, Japan; ⁵Niigata University, Niigata, Japan; ⁶Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan; ⁷National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; ⁸Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR; ⁹Mahidol University, Department of Helminthology, Bangkok, Thailand; ¹⁰University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Background: Schistosoma mekongi remains a public health concern in Cambodia and Lao PDR despite substantial reductions in prevalence following repeated mass drug administration (MDA). As transmission becomes increasingly localised, sensitive and integrated surveillance approaches are needed to identify residual transmission, animal reservoirs, environmental risk, and behavioural factors that may sustain infection. We conducted a pilot One Health study to inform future schistosomiasis elimination activities by combining household surveys, latrine audits, animal sampling, molecular diagnostics, environmental DNA surveillance, and formative research to guide development of health education.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in six historically endemic villages in Cambodia and two villages in Lao PDR. Household heads completed structured questionnaires on water use, sanitation, knowledge of S. mekongi, water contact and open defecation. Latrine audits assessed infrastructure, functionality, water availability and soap presence. In selected villages, faecal samples were collected from domestic animals and preserved for microscopy and qPCR. Environmental DNA samples were collected to support identification of potential transmission hotspots. Formative research, including draw-and-write activities, focus group discussions and key informant interviews, was undertaken with school children, parents, teachers and health officials. These data were used to identify knowledge gaps, misconceptions, preferred communication styles and culturally relevant storylines to support development of the Magic Glasses (MG) health education package for schistosomiasis.

Results: River water use remained common, particularly for cooking, washing and latrine water, and recent river contact was frequently reported across study villages in both countries. Latrine access varied between Cambodian villages, with some communities reporting substantial proportions of households without latrines; overall latrine coverage was higher in Lao PDR. Knowledge of S. mekongi was generally high, particularly regarding serious disease, but important gaps remained around transmission, animal reservoirs and the potential for reinfection after treatment. Open defecation and frequent river contact persisted in several villages. Participants strongly supported school-based education and interactive learning activities, informing development of the MG.

Conclusions: This pilot demonstrates the feasibility and value of integrated One Health surveillance for S. mekongi. Combining molecular, environmental, animal and community-based approaches strengthens detection while generating locally grounded formative data for health education.