Impact of implementation of Three Gorges Project on schistosomiasis en-demic situation in Hubei Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the change of hydrological regime in the Yangtze River and schistosomiasis endemic situation after the implementation of Three Gorges Project in Hubei Province. Methods The data of hydrological regime of the Yangtze River,schistosomiasis epidemic situation,and Oncomelania hupensis snail status were collected and analyzed in Hu-bei Province from 2002 to 2012. Results After the implementation of the Three Gorges Project in 2003,the water level of the Yangtze River slightly rose from January to March,the average water level in May and August both reduced compared with that in 2002,and the time of water withdrawal was moved up. The endemic situation of schistosomiasis showed a decline tendency in areas along the Yangtze River in Hubei Province. The positive rate of serological tests in the residents and the Schistosoma ja-ponicum infection rate in bovine decreased by 2.97%and 92.64%respectively. The numbers of human and bovine infected with S. japonicum decreased by 48.35%and 94.48%,respectively. Conclusion After the implementation of the Three Gorges Proj-ect,the schistosomiasis endemic situation shows a decline tendency in the areas along the Yangtze River in Hubei Province ,but the long-term monitoring still need to be carried out.