[Intestinal schistosomiasis and its control in North-East Brazil]. / La schistosomose intestinale et son contrôle dans le Nord-Est du Brésil.

Intestinal schistosomiasis is endemic in the sugar cane belt near the coast of North-East Brazil. The environment and poor living conditions of the agricultural workers of this area combine to perpetuate the transmission of this disease. However, a new epidemiological pattern is emerging on the coast of Pernambuco State, where workers from the endemic area are building weekend homes without proper drainage. National control programs have led to a dramatic reduction in severe infections. However, they have not yet succeeded in stopping disease transmission altogether. The transfer of responsibility for control to local public health structures, which is currently underway, should improve the situation.