Persistence of schistosomal transmission linked to the Cavu river in southern Corsica since 2013

Seven cases of urogenital schistosomiasis occurred in Corsica in 2015 and 2016. The episodes were related to exposure to the same river and involved the same parasite strain as an outbreak with 106 cases in summer 2013. The connection calls for further investigations on the presence of an animal reservoir and the survival of infested snails during winter. However, recontamination of the river from previously infected bathers remains the most likely hypothesis. Since 2015, seven cases of urogenital schistosomiasis reported exposure to the Cavu river in southern Corsica. They had no history of contact to fresh water in endemic areas. Here, we describe the cases indicating persistent schistosomal transmission linked to this river since 2013. To date, no contamination has been related to an exposure in 2017, but cases might arise in the coming months considering the long parasitic cycle in humans. Therefore, physicians in France and elsewhere should test possible clinical cases, regardless of the year of exposure to the Cavu river.