What type of disease is schistosomiasis classified as?

Schistosomiasis is classified as a water contact disease because it is caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, which require freshwater hosts, primarily snails, to complete their life cycle. Humans become infected when they come into contact with contaminated freshwater sources, such as rivers and lakes, where the larval form of the parasite, known as cercariae, is released by the infected snails. When cercariae penetrate human skin, they can cause schistosomiasis. This unique transmission route illustrates the importance of water bodies in the ecology of the disease, highlighting the role of environmental factors in the spread of pathogens associated with water. Understanding this relationship helps in developing control measures and public health strategies aimed at preventing the disease in at-risk populations.