The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium has achieved a major milestone by administering arpraziquantel to the first preschool-aged child for the treatment of schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever.
Uganda became the first country to introduce arpraziquantel to children under five, marking a significant step in expanding treatment access for one of the world’s most prevalent parasitic diseases. The move is expected to advance efforts to combat schistosomiasis, which affects an estimated 250 million people worldwide, including 50 million preschool-aged children.
Schistosomiasis, caused by parasitic worms, can lead to severe health complications such as malnutrition, anemia, stunted growth, and cognitive impairment. In chronic cases, it may cause organ damage or even death.
“Despite these risks, no child-friendly treatment was previously available, leaving millions vulnerable,” the Consortium stated.
Arpraziquantel is a 150mg dispersible tablet specifically formulated for children aged three months to six years. Designed to be palatable and easy to administer, the treatment is also stable in hot and humid climates, making it suitable for use in endemic regions.
The Consortium received a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency in December 2023, and the drug was added to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Prequalified Medicines in May 2024. Inclusion in the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines is expected later this year.
Peter Steinmann, public health specialist at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and co-lead of the Consortium’s ADOPT programme, 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 ADOPT programme in Uganda, integrating the new treatment into existing healthcare systems. The initiative aligns with WHO’s roadmap for the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Programme Manager for Bilharzia & Worm Control at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Prudence Beinamaryo, described the development as a historic milestone in expanding treatment access. Similarly, Senior Medical Officer and ADOPT Programme Principal Investigator, Dr. Hilda Kyarisiima, noted that lessons from Uganda’s rollout would help shape future scale-up efforts and strengthen global efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis.
Following Uganda, the treatment will be introduced in other schistosomiasis-endemic countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal. The Consortium is working with local health ministries and global organizations to ensure equitable and sustainable access.
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 Consortium stated.
