First Imported Case of Cerebral Schistosomiasis Mansoni - China, May 2025.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) is predominantly distributed across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean Islands, and South America, infecting approximately 54 million people annually. China is not an endemic region for schistosomiasis mansoni, and no cases of cerebral schistosomiasis mansoni have been previously documented.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: This report documents the first imported case of cerebral schistosomiasis mansoni in China. We present the epidemiological investigation, distinctive clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges including misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, and the critical role of pathogen detection in case confirmation.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: With the continuous emergence of imported S. mansoni cases and the gradual expansion of intermediate host breeding grounds, active monitoring should be conducted for potential risks of local transmission within China. To prevent this disease from becoming endemic, CDCs and medical institutions must strengthen their diagnostic, treatment, and prevention capabilities, as well as their monitoring and early warning capacities for imported schistosomiasis mansoni.