What is the first stage of the schistosome life cycle after the eggs infect snails?

After the eggs of schistosomes hatch in fresh water, they infect specific species of snails, which serves as an essential intermediate host in the schistosome life cycle. The first stage after the eggs infect the snails is the development of larvae, known as miracidia. These larvae emerge from the eggs and actively penetrate the snail tissue, where they undergo further maturation and transformation into another larval stage called cercariae. This crucial stage in the snails allows the schistosomes to multiply and prepare for the next phase, which involves the release of cercariae back into the water, where they can then infect humans. This highlights the importance of the snail host in the lifecycle of schistosomes before reaching their final host — humans.