Longitudinal malacological monitoring, with a parasitological survey, reveals new schistosomiasis transmission foci in deforested sites in Western Uganda.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the epidemiology of schistosomiasis, a waterborne parasitic disease, is often altered by environmental and land-use changes. In the upland area of Western Uganda, ongoing destruction of the Bugoma Forest is transforming many lotic freshwater habitats, potentially favouring intermediate hosts of schistosomes. We therefore undertook a longitudinal malacological monitoring study for Methods: Starting in June 2023, snail sampling was conducted regularly, every other month, at nine sites for eighteen months, until October 2024. To bolster this, an analysis of satellite imagery of vegetation and land-use change over the previous 20 years was undertaken. At each inspection site water temperature, conductivity and pH were noted, alongside on-site observations of human and animal activities. Snails were identified by morphology, with inspection for shedding Results: Mean water temperature, conductivity and pH were 23.5 °C (± 1.8), 235.0µS (± 81.7) and 6.9 (± 0.3), respectively. A total of 2524 Conclusion: This changing endemicity of human and animal schistosomiasis to new areas, some 15 Km away from Lake Albert, needs to be addressed by the Uganda Ministry of Health and National Forestry Authority. Further targeted malacological and schistosomiasis surveillance, at finer geographical resolutions, will pinpoint new foci and better guide local interventions. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44329-026-00061-x.