DOCTOR RIVER WHAT’S UP DOC ?

In this column, Jessie gives us the basics on the water-born infection called bilharzia, or schistosomiasis, so we can go well prepared on our next international paddling adventure.

By Jessie Stone

BILHARZIA UPDATE In all foreign kayaking related travel these days, there seems to be more and more chance of encountering some interesting disease. This is particularly true with mosquito transmitted infections such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses, as well as malaria; but it also applies to other water born infections such as schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, named for the German doctor who discovered it in Napolean’s army in the 1850s. Though schistosomiasis does not effect as many people as malaria worldwide, it is still the third most common tropical disease. It infects 200 million people a year and kills around 200,000 people a year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosomiasis is also found in South America and Southeast Asia, as well as—surprisingly—Corsica. Spring paddlers take note! Schistosomias is a parasitic infection…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2016

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