A study has found that the use of agricultural fertilizers can increase the presence of parasitic infections in aquatic snails. This is because the fertilizers cause the growth of hornwart, which serves as the natural habitat for the snail. The study, conducted over three years across 16 communities, suggests that the removal of the snail’s habitat could reduce infections.
The spread of the Schistosoma parasite, also known as snail fever, has been on the rise due to the construction of the Diama Dam in Senegal. While the dam provides farmers with more freshwater for irrigation, it has also disrupted the snail’s predator, prawns. Schistosomiasis, the disease caused by the parasite, can lead to debilitating symptoms and increase the risk of cancer. It has a significant impact on individuals’ ability to work and go to school, which ultimately affects agricultural productivity and contributes to poverty.
To address this issue, researchers focused on the natural habitat of the parasite’s aquatic snail host, the hornwart plant (Ceratophyllum demersum). This plant thrives due to fertilizer runoff from agricultural activities, providing both a habitat for the snail and occupying space that could be used for essential activities.
In the study, researchers removed the hornwart in half of the communities, resulting in a significant reduction of reinfection rates. People in the areas where the vegetation was not removed experienced 124% higher reinfection rates than those where it was removed. Additionally, the removed vegetation had added benefits, such as being used as livestock feed and compost for growing crops. The reduction of parasitic infections has positively impacted food production.
According to David López-Carr, one of the study’s authors, this approach provides an economic incentive to remove nuisance vegetation from waterways, return nutrients to the soil, and address poverty-disease traps. The study demonstrates the potential for win-win solutions that improve livelihoods while reducing infectious diseases.
Overall, the findings highlight the importance of addressing the impact of agricultural fertilizers on parasitic infections and implementing sustainable and innovative solutions in the food and beverage industry. Key trends to consider include food manufacturing, processing technology, distribution, sustainability, regulations, packaging, marketing, and consumer preferences. By addressing these trends, businesses can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable food and drink industry.
Source: Nature, ‘A planetary health innovation for disease, food and water challenges in Africa ’, 12 July 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06313-z, Authors: J. R. Rohr, A. Sack, S. Bakhoum, C. B. Barrett, D. Lopez-Carr, A. J. Chamberlin, D. J. Civitello, C. Diatta, M. J. Doruska, G. A. De Leo, C. J. E. Haggerty, I. J. Jones, N. Jouanard, A. J. Lund, A. T. Ly, R. A. Ndione, J. V. Remais, G. Riveau, A. Schacht, M. Seck, S. Senghor, S. H. Sokolow & C. Wolfe.