A new formulation of praziquantel to achieve schistosomiasis elimination

Schistosomiasis, endemic in 78 low-income and middle-income countries, is the second most serious tropical disease after malaria. Globally, more than 250 million people live with schistosomiasis and 779 million are at risk, resulting in an annual burden of 1·4–3·3 million disability-adjusted life-years. Schistosomiasis is one of ten neglected tropical diseases listed as a public health problem by WHO with the aim of elimination by 2030. Guidelines underlining the use of mass drug administration with praziquantel to reach this goal have been published by WHO in 2006 and 2022. The recommendation in earlier guidelines to provide school-aged children (aged 6–15 years) and adults at high risk with a single annual dose of praziquantel has now been extended to cover all age groups older than 2 years.