CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jan 13, CMC – St. Lucia health authorities Tuesday said that they are making arrangements for the samples collected in the schistosomiasis survey to be sent overseas for testing after experiencing challenges with local testing capacity.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition said it also wanted to reassures parents and guardians that this delay does not pose any immediate risk to participating children nor does this indicate the presence of abnormalities in the results.
In 2025, the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Education conducted a Schistosomiasis Survey at primary schools targeting children aged eight to 11 years. The authorities said then that the purpose of the survey was to assess the presence of the neglected tropical disease called schistosomiasis also known as bilharzia.
Schistosomiasis, or snail fever, is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (Schistosoma worms) found in fresh water, infecting people when larvae penetrate the skin during activities like swimming or bathing in contaminated water, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and long-term organ damage, but it’s treatable with the drug praziquantel.
The worms mature, lay eggs in veins, and these eggs cause inflammation cause inflammation and damage, often in the intestines or urinary tract, affecting millions.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition wishes to inform parents and guardians of the children who participated in the schistosomiasis survey that laboratory testing of collected samples has been delayed due to challenges with local testing capacity.
“As a result, arrangements are now being made for the samples to be tested at accredited laboratories overseas. This step is necessary to ensure that all testing is carried out accurately, safely, and in accordance with required international quality standards.”
The ministry said that no further action is required from families at this time and that “all samples are being securely stored and handled according to approved protocols while preparations for overseas testing are finalised.
“We are actively coordinating the overseas testing process and will provide updated information to schools and parents once a revised timeline for results is confirmed,” the ministry said, thanking parents, guardians, school staff, and learners for their “patience, understanding, and continued cooperation”.
CMC/ak/ir/2026