[Analysis of imported malaria situation in Liyang City, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemic characteristics of imported malaria in Liyang City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate control strategies and measures. METHODS: The malaria epidemic situation reports, case epidemiological investigations and the follow-up materials of counterparts returned together with the cases were collected and analyzed in Liyang City from 2007 to 2014. RESULTS: Totally 53 imported malaria cases were reported and they were all laboratory confirmed in Liyang City from 2007 to 2014. Forty-nine cases (92.5%) were imported from African countries, 37 cases (69.8%) were Plasmodium falciparum infection, and 37 cases (69.8%) had overseas incidence history. Forty cases (75.5%) were aged between 30 and 49 years, and 52 cases (98.1%) were male, 42 cases (79.2%) were farmers. These cases were distributed in all the 10 towns and there were no obvious seasonal variation for onset time. The median time from onset to seeing a doctor was 3 d, and the median time from seeing a doctor to being diagnosed was 0 d. The first visit health facilities by the patients were various, and the diagnostic health facilities were all the medical institutions at the county level or above, and the standardized treatment rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: During the last 5 consecutive years, there have been no local infected malaria cases in Liyang City, and the remarkable results have been achieved in malaria elimination. However, there are still many imported malaria cases, and the infected species are diverse. Therefore, the imported malaria is still the key of malaria prevention and control.

[Survey on status of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current state of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City in the early stage of eliminating malaria action, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of malaria elimination. METHODS: The staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations from medical institutions and centers for disease control and prevention at different levels were investigated by questionnaires and tests of the malaria related theory and microscopic operation. RESULTS: Totally 95 people were investigated, and among them, 40.0% had college degree and 45.3% were university educated. There were 18.9% of them working on Plasmodium microscopy examinations for less than 1 year, 40.0% for 2-5 years, 18.9% for 6-10 years and 22.1% for more than 10 years. The numbers of person-time of provincial and municipal level training, district-level training, and unit-level training in the last year were 0.57, 0.59, and 0.14, respectively. Totally 18.9% of them had the experience of finding Plasmodium at work, and 97.9% of them considered it was necessary or very necessary to do Plasmodium microscopy examinations. However, 57.9% and 8.4% of them considered Plasmodium microscopy examinations increased their work load and work difficulty, respectively. The average correct rates of knowledge tests on malaria before and after training were 72.5% and 91.6% respectively (P < 0.05). The average mark of Plasmodium microscopic tests was 25.3 points (full mark being 50 points), and the passing rate (> or = 30 points) was 58.9%. CONCLUSION: The working experience of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City is relatively poor, and the related training should be enhanced.

[Knowledge and practice on schistosomiasis control of boatmen along Yangtze River].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the knowledge and practice on schistosomiasis control of boatmen along the Yangtze River, so as to provide the evidence for making up schistosomiasis control measures for them. METHODS: In the anchor spots along the Yangtze River in Xinbei District, Changzhou City, a questionnaire survey was carried out for boatmen's knowledge and practice on schistosomiasis control. Among the boatmen of different genders, ages and education levels, the awareness rates of schistosomiasis control knowledge and the formation rates of correct behavior were compared. RESULTS: A total of 702 boatmen of 231 boats were surveyed. The total awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge was 84.19%. Among the groups with different education levels, the awareness rates were significantly different (chi2 =14.42, P < 0.05). The total formation rate of correct behavior on schistosomiasis control was 43.16%. Between men and women groups, and among groups with different ages, the formation rates were significantly different (chi2 = 21.95, 15.00, P < 0.05 for all). Totally 94.81% of the boats discharged the excrement into water directly. CONCLUSION: The formation rate of correct behavior on schistosomiasis control of boatmen was low, thus the health promotion should be enhanced for them.

[Surveillance of echinococcosis in Liyang City from 2008 to 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Echinococcus infection of people and domestic animals in Liyang City, so as to provide the evidence for the establishment of control measures of echinococcosis. METHODS: The formerly confirmed cases and clue cases were investigated. The Echinococcus antibody in serum of children aged from 7 to 12 years old and adults in key towns and control towns was detected with ELISA, and the antigen in fecal samples of dogs in key towns was also detected. B ultrasound was applied to examine the ELISA positive cases, family member and the neighbored people around them. The sheep in the market were dissected and examined for Echinococcus. RESULTS: The Echinococcus antibody positive rates were 0.93% and 0.52% in children and adults, respectively. The Echinococcus antigen positive rate was 0.95% in dogs. There were no significant difference between the positive rates of the children and adults (CHI2 = 2.124, P > 0.05). No cases were found by ultrasonic examination and no Echinococcus infection was found in the sheep. CONCLUSION: The people with Echinococcus antibody in serum and dogs with antigen in their feces are found in the surveillance of echinococcosis, therefore, there exists the complete chain of transmission in local. Thus, in the prevention and control work for the disease, the monitoring of dog feces, quarantine of sheep from other regions, as well as the population health education in key areas should be strengthened.