Survey of urinary schistosomiasis in Iran

ABSTRACT

To determine the present status of urinary schistosomiasis in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. Urine samples were collected from 3400 villagers residing in the high risk areas in Khuzestan Province, mainly from school children [80%] from 2005-2007. During a sequential visit by our team urine specimens were collected between 1000am and 1400pm. Each person was given a prenumbered bottle in the field, and the name of the person including age and sex was entered against the appropriate number on a form kept by the investigating team. In this province, the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium is being successfully interrupted as none of the samples were found positive. Total elimination of urinary schistosomiasis appears to be possible if the health authorities in neighboring areas can be persuaded to adopt a similar strategy of integrated control. The plan for the future is to continue monitoring transmission, by passive surveys in local health centers and active case-finding among schoolchildren, and to continue snail sampling and focal mollusciciding