Vector-borne diseases are highly complex as they depend on biotic, abiotic and socio-cultural factors. Isolated interventions targeting exclusively children, a poor understanding of environmental factors and insufficient community involvement result in low acceptance of repeated interventions, and consequently in persisting infections and perceived non-effectiveness of treatment. An integrative approach is vital for effective and successful control.

This project proposes two innovative concepts, One Health and Citizen Science in order to generate scientific data needed for the development of interventions and for engaging relevant communities. Citizen Science networks to actively co-create contextualised intervention strategies targeting human, animal and environmental health.

The research will focus on transmission cycles and risk factors for humans and animals, which will be tackled by bringing the two concepts into action. In line with findings from previous studies researchers will analyse the role of humans, animals and intermediate host snails in the parasites’ epidemiology. These may have important implications in intervention design.

This project links ecologists, epidemiologists, geographers, social scientists, and veterinarians from different partners in Belgium, Chad, the Netherlands and Switzerland in an interdisciplinary research team, complemented with stakeholders from local communities, NGOs and ministries.

This community- centred eco-biosocial approach is the (only) way forward to effectively reduce and ultimately eliminate neglected zoonotic diseases like schistosomiasis and fascioliasis.