Which group is most at risk for schistosomiasis?

The group at the greatest risk for schistosomiasis is farmers working in flooded areas. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes. These parasites are often found in freshwater sources, especially in regions where there is a prevalence of standing water, such as flooded agricultural lands.

Farmers who work in these flooded areas are likely to come into contact with contaminated water that harbors the schistosomiasis-causing parasites. The life cycle of these parasites involves snails that live in freshwater, and when humans come into contact with this water, the larvae can penetrate the skin, leading to infection. Given the nature of their work, farmers are frequently exposed to such environments, thereby increasing their risk for developing the disease.

Other groups mentioned, while potentially exposed to various health risks in their respective work environments, do not face the same level of exposure to the conditions that favor the transmission of schistosomiasis. For instance, food service workers, construction workers, and laboratory staff have differing exposures that are generally not associated with the freshwater sources necessary for this particular parasitic infection. Therefore, farmers in flooded areas are the most susceptible population concerning schistosomiasis.