Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is caused by some species of blood trematodes (flukes) in the genus Schistosoma. The three main species infecting humans are Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mansoni.

The life cycle stages: [43] The excretion of schistosome eggs in urine or feces depending on species; The hatching of the eggs leading to release of the free-swimming, ciliated larvae called miracidia; Miracidia find and penetrate the snails, which are the intermediate hosts (specific species of snails is dependent on the species of schistosoma)

The schistosomiasis life cycle has 2 hosts: snails and mammals. Asexual reproduction occurs in snails and sexual reproduction occurs in mammals. To control schistosomiasis, diagnosis has an important role. Diagnosis techniques include MHT, Kato-Katz, FECT, POC-CCA, SmCFT, and PCR.

Schistosomiasis spreads in six steps: Schistosoma eggs enter freshwater when people with schistosomiasis urinate (pee) or defecate (poop) in the water. The eggs hatch, infect a specific type of freshwater snail, develop, and multiply inside the snails.