COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Actions of the Schistosomiasis Control Program in Brazil: Is the Goal of Controlling the Disease by 2030 at Risk?

Background: With the irruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, several neglected disease control strategies were suspended, probably compromising the eradication goals of numerous diseases, including schistosomiasis. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE) actions in all endemic states of Brazil.Methods: The PCE variables assessed were the population surveyed, number of Kato-Katz tests, positive cases of schistosomiasis and percentage of cases treated with Praziquantel between 2015 and 2021. The percentage of change was calculated to verify if there was an increase or decrease in 2020 and 2021, along with time trend analyses given by Joinpoint regression model. Additionally, spatial distribution maps were elaborated, considering the % change of each Brazilian state.Results: A significant decrease in the population surveyed in 2020 (% change: -65.38%) and 2021 (-37.94%) was observed in Brazil. Likewise, there was a proportional reduction in the number of Kato-Katz tests performed (2020 = -67.48%; 2021 = -40.52%) and a considerable decrease in the percentage of positive cases in Brazil (-71.16%; -40.5%) and in the Northeast (-69.18%; -39.89%) and Southeast (-85.06%; -53.94%) regions. More importantly, there was a reduction in the percentage of treated cases (-72.09%; -41.67%). Time trend analyses showed a decreasing trend in most PCE variables with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.Conclusion: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PCE actions were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and PCE strategies must be urgently reviewed, focusing the resources and investments in all endemic areas.