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Abstract
Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by the trematode worm Schistosoma haematobium (along with intestinal and hepatic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni and other species) is acquired by bathing in freshwater colonised by a suitable intermediate host (a freshwater snail of the genus Bulinus).1 Widely diffused in Africa and in areas of southeast Asia and Latin America, schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases.1 Therefore, the recent outbreak of urogenital schistosomiasis in Corsica (France), came as a big surprise. Outside France, for example in our own country (Italy) from which thousands tourists go to Corsica every year, those screened were just a few who presented spontaneously, having heard of the outbreak while in Corsica.7 Furthermore, areas of Italy and other southern European countries have similar ecological conditions to those of Corsica, including the presence of suitable snails.10 Schistosomiasis is a huge public health problem that causes severe illness and thousands of deaths in tropical countries every year.11 In Europe this problem has been largely neglected and regarded as an issue affecting only immigrants, not causing concern to the native population.