- Asked 2/30
- 2081 Baisakh · 2 marks
- 2080 Baisakh · 2 marks
Water-based diseases
Short answer
Water-based diseases are caused by parasitic worms that spend part of their life cycle in an aquatic intermediate host, such as snails or Cyclops. Examples include schistosomiasis (snail host), guinea worm disease (Cyclops), and liver fluke infections. Control involves avoiding infested water, filtering/treating water, and snail control.
Define water-based diseases (with examples).
Water-based diseases are diseases caused by pathogens (usually parasitic worms) that spend a part of their life cycle in a water-dwelling animal (an intermediate host such as a snail or crustacean). A person is infected by contact with, or by swallowing, the infected water.
Examples
| Disease | Cause | Intermediate host | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) | Schistosoma worms | Freshwater snail | Larvae penetrate skin when bathing or wading |
| Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) | Dracunculus medinensis | Cyclops (water flea) | Drinking water with infected Cyclops |
| Fascioliasis, clonorchiasis | Liver flukes | Snails, fish, water plants | Eating raw water plants or fish |
Control: avoid contact with infested water, filter or treat drinking water, control snails, and provide safe piped or hand-pump water.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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