Co-infection of intestinal helminths in humans and animals in the Philippines.

Background: A large number of studies have assessed risk factors for infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH), but few have investigated the interactions between the different parasites or compared these between host species across hosts. Here, we assessed the associations between Ascaris, Trichuris, hookworm, strongyle and Toxocara infections in the Philippines in human and animal hosts.

Methods: Faecal samples were collected from humans and animals (dogs, cats and pigs) in 252 households from four villages in southern Philippines and intestinal helminth infections were assessed by microscopy.

Use of geographic information system as a tool for schistosomiasis surveillance in an endemic Municipality in Eastern Samar, The Philippines.

This study aimed to demonstrate the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in identifying factors contributing to schistosomiasis endemicity and identifying high-risk areas in a schistosomiasis- endemic municipality in the Philippines, which was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Data on schistosomiasis determinants, obtained through literature review, the Philippine Department of Health, and concerned local government units, were standardized and incorporated into a GIS map using ArcGIS. Data gathered included modifiable [agriculture, poverty, sanitation, presence of intermediate and reservoir hosts, disease prevalence and mass drug administration (MDA) coverage] and nonmodifiable (geography and climate) determinants for schistosomiasis.