Hydrological Extremes Heighten Vulnerability to Schistosomiasis

Abstract

Climate change is altering precipitation regimes that amplify hydrological extremes and increase vulnerability to schistosomiasis, a water-related parasitic disease with hundreds of millions at risk globally. Explicit recognition of the elements of hydrological variability and linkages with extreme precipitation is necessary to combat the spread of schistosomiasis. We call for the use of a vulnerability framework to account holistically for the dynamic interplay among environmental and human factors that influence susceptibility to schistosomiasis infection across spatial scales.