ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the current prevalence of human echinococcosis in Qinghai Province and to lay the basis for establishing the preventing and controlling strategies.Methods Clustered random sampling was performed in selected survey spots.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and ultrasound techniques were used for detecting human echinococcosis.Results 95 out of 5274 hydatid cases were found from 6 counties of Qinghai Province,with a prevalence of 1.80%.The immunological postitive rates examined by ELISA were 12.01%(198/1649)and 16.37%(383/2340)in male and female,respectively.The positive rate in female was significantly higher than that in male(χ2=14.78,P＜0.01).The infection and prevalence 1evels were generally increased among Tibetan[18.54%(446/2405),2.54%(78/3070)],herders[24.97%(239/957),4.78%(50/1046)]and people aged 60～＜70 years old[15.8l%(34/215),6.52%(18/276)],and were higher in Gonghe County[24.44%(240/982),3.95%(41/1037)]and Yushu County[20.59%(161/782),2.99%(32/1070)].Conclusions Echinococcosis was found in any surveyed area in Qinghai Province.The echinococcosis was severe in the pastoral areas such as the south plateau of Qinghai and places around Qinghai-lake. It is suggested that a strengthened control program should be conducted in the pastoral areas in Qinghai Province,targeting at females,Tibetan and herders people.