Detecting Schistosoma in Bornean Water Buffalo and implications of environmental variables for zoonotic transmission in the context of climate change

This project will investigate Schistosomiasis in Bornean buffaloes using novel cell free DNA approaches and will determine the presence of Schistosoma in water bodies associated to buffalo farming.

Across Southeast Asia, over 200 million people are at risk of Schistosoma infection with up to 200,000 dying of the disease yearly.

The PhD will provide i) information about the prevalence of S. japonicum in water buffaloes, ii) the geographical distribution of the pathogen, iii) the exposure of humans to the pathogen, and iv) the likely future distribution of the parasite under climate change.