Osagioduwa Amber OSAYANDE

Snail-borne parasitic infections remain a major public health concern in tropical regions, where freshwater snails serve as intermediate hosts for several trematode parasites. This study investigated the prevalence of parasitic infection in Melanoides tuberculata from Iguedo Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, to determine the extent of parasitic infection and highlight its public health implications. Snails were collected from Iguedo River in May and July, 2025. A total of 123 M. tuberculata were collected and examined for trematode infection using both cercarial shedding and visceral dissection methods. Out of the 123 snails examined, four were infected with an overall infection prevalence of 3.25%. Infection was only recorded in May. The larval stages of trematode parasites recovered were rediae and three cercaria types including Cercariaeum, Echinostome and Gymnocephalous cercariae. The cerceriae recovered from the infected snails were released after slight pressure was applied on the rediae mounted on the microscope slide. This study recorded a low prevalence of trematode infection among M. tuberculata in Iguedo River, an indication of low level of active transmission during the study period in the area. However, given the high level of human contact with the river for bathing, washing, and fishing, there is the possibility of potential risk for transmission of snailborne parasitic diseases. Therefore, the need for continuous surveillance, environmental management, and health education on safe water use cannot be overemphasized to minimize the risk of infection and safeguard community health.