Editing Strongyloides stercoralis (section)

==Geographic distribution==
''S. stercoralis'' infection is associated with fecal contamination of soil or water. Hence, it is a very rare infection in developed economies. In developing countries, it is less prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas (where sanitation standards are poor). ''S. stercoralis'' can be found in areas with tropical and subtropical climates.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Segarra-Newnham |first=M. |year=2007 |title=Manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of ''Strongyloides stercoralis'' infection |journal=[[Annals of Pharmacotherapy|Ann Pharmacother]] |volume=41 |issue=12 |pages=1992–2001 |doi=10.1345/aph.1K302 |pmid=17940124 |s2cid=38184274 }}</ref>

Strongyloidiasis was first described in the 19th century in French soldiers returning home from expeditions in [[French Indochina|Indochina]]. Today, the countries of the old Indochina ([[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Laos]]) still have endemic strongyloidiasis, with the typical prevalences being 10% or less. Regions of [[Japan]] used to have endemic strongyloidiasis, but control programs have eliminated the disease. Strongyloidiasis appears to have a high prevalence in some areas of [[Brazil]] and [[Central America]]. It is endemic in [[Africa]], but the prevalence is typically low (1% or less). Pockets have been reported from rural [[Italy]], but the current status is unknown. In the [[Pacific islands]], strongyloidiasis is rare, although some cases have been reported from [[Fiji]]. In tropical [[Australia]], some rural and remote [[Australian Aboriginal]] communities have very high prevalences of strongyloidiasis.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal|pmid=16048468|year=2005|last1=Johnston|first1=F. H. |last2=Morris |first2=P. S. |last3=Speare |first3=R. |last4=McCarthy |first4=J. |last5=Currie |first5=B. |last6=Ewald |first6=D. |last7=Page |first7=W. |last8=Dempsey |first8=K. |title=Strongyloidiasis: A review of the evidence for Australian practitioners |volume=13|issue=4|pages=247–54|doi=10.1111/j.1440-1584.2005.00710.x |journal=The Australian Journal of Rural Health}}</ref>

In some African countries (e.g., [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]), ''S. fuelleborni'' was more common than ''S. stercoralis'' in parasite surveys from the 1970s, but the current status is unknown. In [[Papua New Guinea]], ''S. stercoralis'' is endemic, but prevalence is low. However, in some areas, another species, ''S. kellyi'',<ref name="Pmid">{{cite journal|pmid=12392916|year=2002|last1=Dorris|first1=M. |last2=Viney|first2=M. E.|last3=Blaxter|first3=M. L. |title=Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Strongyloides and related nematodes|volume=32|issue=12|pages=1507–17|journal=International Journal for Parasitology|doi=10.1016/s0020-7519(02)00156-x}}</ref> is a very common parasite of children in the [[New Guinea Highlands]] and [[Western Province (Papua New Guinea)|Western Province]].<ref name="Pmid" />

Knowledge of the geographic distribution of strongyloidiasis is of significance to travelers who may acquire the parasite during their stays in endemic areas.

Because strongyloidiasis could theoretically be transmittable through unsanitary bedclothes care must be taken never to use unclean hotel bed sheets in endemic areas. Using plastic slippers when showering may be very important when travelling in tropical regions.

Estimates of the number of people infected vary with one estimate putting the figure at 370 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=19328508|year=2009|last1=Olsen|first1=A|title=Strongyloidiasis—the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases?|journal=Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene|volume=103|issue=10|pages=967–72|last2=Van Lieshout|first2=L|last3=Marti|first3=H|last4=Polderman|first4=T|last5=Polman|first5=K|last6=Steinmann|first6=P|last7=Stothard|first7=R|last8=Thybo|first8=S|last9=Verweij|first9=J. J.|last10=Magnussen|first10=P|doi=10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.02.013|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/294472/files/103-10-967.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|pmid=23875033|pmc=3708837|year=2013|last1=Schär|first1=F|title=Strongyloides stercoralis: Global Distribution and Risk Factors|journal=PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases|volume=7|issue=7|pages=e2288|last2=Trostdorf|first2=U|last3=Giardina|first3=F|last4=Khieu|first4=V|last5=Muth|first5=S|last6=Marti|first6=H|last7=Vounatsou|first7=P|last8=Odermatt|first8=P|doi=10.1371/journal.pntd.0002288 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Local prevalence can exceed 40% in some tropical and subtropical countries.<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=27083185|year=2016|last1=Laymanivong|first1=S|title=First molecular identification and report of genetic diversity of Strongyloides stercoralis, a current major soil-transmitted helminth in humans from Lao People's Democratic Republic|journal=Parasitology Research|volume=115|issue=8|pages=2973–80|last2=Hangvanthong|first2=B|last3=Insisiengmay|first3=B|last4=Vanisaveth|first4=V|last5=Laxachack|first5=P|last6=Jongthawin|first6=J|last7=Sanpool|first7=O|last8=Thanchomnang|first8=T|last9=Sadaow|first9=L|last10=Phosuk|first10=I|last11=Rodpai|first11=R|last12=Maleewong|first12=W|last13=Intapan|first13=P. M.|doi=10.1007/s00436-016-5052-z|s2cid=18567198}}</ref>