Risk analysis and the current status of the epidemic of human important parasitic diseases in Hubei Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

The general epidemic characteristics of seven key human parasitic diseases in Hubei Province, including schistosomiasis, malaria, filariasis, kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), soil-transmitted helminth infection, food-borne parasitic diseases, and echinococcosis, is reviewed in order to analyze the current epidemic situation and trend. At present, the epidemic of parasitic diseases has dropped to the lowest level in history in Hubei Province, but there still exists high risk of infections in some local areas. Along with the deepening of global economic integration and the implementation of the strategy of "the Belt and Road", and the expanding of dietary spectrum for human pursuing diversified material and cultural life, we are facing the transmission risk from imported parasitic diseases and rare parasitic diseases. Current monitoring efforts have been weakened due to the decline in work supporting measures. There will be potential risks of local outbreaks if an epidemic is not effectively controlled in time. It is recommended to maintain the multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism under the leadership of the government, further improve capacity building to ensure a capable and stable professional team for the prevention and control of parasitic diseases, and to increase the monitoring of parasitic diseases during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, so as to consolidate the achievements of parasitic disease prevention and control and promote the health of people in Hubei Province.