schistosomiasis

Definition

A neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms, whose transmission patterns are being altered and expanded by climate change.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'schistos' (split) and 'soma' (body), referring to the split-bodied appearance of the parasitic flukes, combined with the suffix '-iasis' indicating a pathological condition.

In the news

In the article, Jason Rohr discusses how climate change is shifting the geographic transmission of this disease across Africa, highlighting it as a major humanitarian impact of a warming planet.

Climate Attribution Conference Explores Science, Law and Accountability

Columbia University

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