Comprehensive strategies to control and eradicate schistosomiasis emphasize application of mass drug administration (MDA) complementary with other intervention measures including public health education, access to clean water, improved sanitation, and interruption of parasite cycle at vector snail stage. The aim of this study was to determine Schistosomiasis mansoni transmission dynamics in Central Kenya’s highlands irrigated farming.. A proportion of Biomphalaria pfefferi snails sampled in the irrigation canals had pre-patent infection with cercaria and hospital data showed presence of schistosome eggs in stool of patients in the region who visited the hospital due to gastrointestinal malaise. These parameters indicate live transmission of S. mansoni disease in the region hence the need for a comprehensive program in the disease control. It was also observed that a proportion of B. pfefferi sampled in the study region were refractory to miracidia infection. This population of resistant B. pfefferi snails can be a plausible option in breaking transmission of schistosomiasis.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria spp, Cercaria, Interventions, Kenya