Modeling the impact of hydrological dynamics on Schistosomiasis transmission

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted through freshwater snails, with transmission dynamics strongly influenced by environmental conditions. While water level plays a crucial role in shaping snail habitats and human exposure, the relative impacts of water velocity and depth on disease prevalence remain poorly understood. In this study, we integrate a mathematical model of human and snail schistosomiasis prevalence with the Saint-Venant system to examine how hydrodynamic factors influence transmission dynamics. Our findings reveal that water depth has a more significant impact on schistosomiasis transmission in downstream conditions, whereas water velocity has a greater impact upstream, likely due to its effects on snail distribution and parasite dispersal. These results suggest that considering hydrodynamic conditions is essential for improving disease control strategies.