This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a Chinese expert (L) working with a Tanzanian counterpart to collect snails for schistosomiasis research at a pond in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Oct. 16, 2025. (Chinese expert team of schistosomiasis control project in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua)

Dar es Salaam - A Chinese public health expert team under the China-aided Zanzibar schistosomiasis control project on Sunday completed Zanzibar's first-ever distribution map of schistosomiasis transmission vectors, marking a significant step in the efforts of Tanzania's island region to eliminate the disease.

The achievement follows a month-long systematic survey of Bulinus snails, the intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium, across 320 key water bodies on the islands, according to Wang Wei, the team leader.

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 11, 2024 shows a view of the Stone Town in Zanzibar, Tanzania. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Utilizing the World Health Organization standard methods, the team collected and identified more than 40,000 snails, recording environmental factors such as water type, vegetation and human contact activities to assess transmission risks, Wang told Xinhua.

Wang said that the newly developed map highlights high-risk areas and provides a scientific foundation for Zanzibar's future surveillance, environmental management and health education initiatives.

"This is the first time Zanzibar has systematically collected nationwide snail distribution data," said Shaali Makame Ame, a representative of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health. "It marks a key milestone in our fight against schistosomiasis."