Endemic situation of schistosomiasis and control effects of implementation of comprehensive management measures in Hunan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the current endemic situation of schistosomiasis and evaluate the control effects of the implementation of comprehensive management measures for 4 years,so as to provide references for making control strategy in the next stage. Methods The endemic villages were grouped into categories based on egg positive rates of fecal examinations among villagers. Praziquantel chemotherapy regimens were provided for villagers and domestic animals,respectively. Snail control on the basis of niclosamide was conducted in snail habitat areas in the hilly area and inside embankment in Dongting Lake,and in infected snail distributed areas outside the embankment in the lake. A slow releasing formation of niclosamide were applied for cercariae killing in transmission areas outside the embankment in the lake in the flood season. The modification of snail habitat areas was integrated into the water conservancy and agricultural development projects. The varied health education,safe water supply and disinfestation toilet facilities were provided for residents in the community. Results The infection rate of schistosomiasis in residents dropped by 49.88%,and the estimated patients reduced by 39.62%. Acute schistosomiasis cases significantly decreased. The total number of advanced schistosomiasis cases slightly increased. The infection rate of schistosomiasis in livestock dropped by 66.36% and snail areas reduced by 33.31% as well as no infected snails were found inside the embankment. Yet,the total areas of snail habitats and distributed areas of infected snails slightly increased,with a high density. The first scale of villages and the second scale of villages were lowered into the third or fourth scale of villages. Out of 31 endemic counties (districts,farms),7 reached the criteria of transmission control,24 reached the criteria of infection control. Conclusions The implementation of the comprehensive management measure has achieved the anticipated results of reducing the infection rate of schistosomiasis among villagers and dropping the incidence of acute schistosomiasis. Yet the snail area on beaches outside the embankment slightly increases,with a high density of infected snails and so there is an infection danger there.