OBJECTIVETo analyze the change of tendency on schistosomiasis epidemics in China in the last 5 years.

METHODSData on schistosomiasis epidemics in the history and particularly in the last 5 years were collected. Tendency and the re-emerging status after 1998 were analyzed.

RESULTSData in 2003 showed that in 42%, 40% and 53% of the provinces, counties and townships with epidemics, the transmission of the disease has been interrupted or controlled. The number of estimated patients of schistosomiasis and areas with snails were also reduced by 92.74% and 73.56%, in 2003. The annual estimated number of chronic cases was around 800 000 and 31 321.5 hectare of snail infested areas were newly identified in recent 5 years. Among 20 national villages under longitudinal surveillance, 30%, 70% and 35% of the villages were presented a tendency of increase in the rates of human infection, bovine infection and Oncomelania snails infection, respectively. A total of 38 counties from 7 provinces have re-emerged in schistosomiasis transmission after those counties having reached criteria of transmission under control or interrupted. In 6 non-endemic counties, snails were presented, and 16 marshlands in Xan river were found with appearance of acute cases of schistosomiasis. More snail infested areas were found in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Both snail infested areas and newly infected cases were occurred in urban areas along the Yangtze River.

CONCLUSIONThe tendency of increase was presented in focal areas along the Yangtze River, due to changes of environmental, ecological, societal and economic status, as well as on the forces of control.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Reservoirs ; Humans ; Praziquantel ; therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; parasitology

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Schistosomicides ; therapeutic use ; Snails ; parasitology

The objective of this study was to carry out a community survey on schistosomiais and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to suggest feasible and effective intervention strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. A total of 37 communities selected from 23 districts of the 4 regions in the Lake Victoria basin of Tanzania were involved in the study. From each of the selected locality, 50 adult community members, 25 males and 25 females, were recruited for the study. Each study participant was requested to submit stool and urine specimens. From each stool specimen, duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were prepared and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STH eggs. Urine specimens were processed by the filtration technique and microscopically examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Ultrasound examination for morbidity due to schistosomiasis was performed. Mass treatment was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosome and STHs infections, respectively. Out of 1,606 adults who provided stool specimens, 199 (12.4%) were positive for S. mansoni, 349 (21.7%) for hookworms, 133 (8.3%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 33 (2.0%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 1,400 participants who provided urine specimens, 25 (1.8%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. Because of the co-endemicity of these afflictions and their impact on vulnerable population groups, the helminthiasis could be simultaneously treated with 2 drugs, praziquantel for schistosomiasis and albendazole for STHs.
Adult ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Lakes ; Male ; Microscopy ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Urine/parasitology

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.
Adolescent ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Child ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Male ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Schools ; Students ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Urine/parasitology

OBJECTIVETo study the current situation and the cause of schistosomiasis resurgence in order to provide reference for formulation of control strategy.

METHODSData in 1999 - 2003 and baseline data in some areas were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSResurgence was seen in 6.15% (16/260) of the areas and one farm where transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted and 33.33% (21/64) of the areas already under control. Snails appeared to have been rebounded only in six counties (farm) while in thirty two counties that rebound was seen in both snails and disease prevalence. Tendency of increase in the total numbers of patients, acute patients and cattle with schistosomiasis, areas with snails were seen from 1999 to 2003.

CONCLUSIONSEnvironmental, ecological, societal factors such as flood, acequia, lack of expenditure and lack of incentives at work etc. contributed to the resurgence of epidemics in those areas that criteria had been reached. Surveillance and supervision on the sources of infection and snail diffusion, especially in the areas where the transmission of schistosomiasis had already been under control.

Animals ; Cattle ; China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Disasters ; Disease Reservoirs ; Ecology ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; parasitology

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of Schistosoma japonicum reinfection after chemotherapy in a hilly endemic area.

METHODSIn a hilly endemic area of S. japonica, data on contact to contaminated water and the rates of reinfection after mass praziquantel treatment were collected from residents who participated in a prospective cohort study on S. japonica. An unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with the reinfection of S. japonicum.

RESULTSLogistic regression analysis data showed that three factors were associated with S. japonicum reinfection: eggs per gram stool (EPG) prior to chemotherapy (OR = 2.066, 95% CI: 1.173 - 3.639), gender (OR = 4.260, 95% CI: 1.275 - 14.235) and average degree of exposure (Index B) from April to October (OR = 1.138, 95% CI: 1.045 - 1.240). Interaction between gender and average exposure Index B from April to October was identified (OR = 0.875, 95% CI: 0.817 - 0.982).

CONCLUSIONEggs per gram stool (EPG) prior to chemotherapy, level of exposure to infected water and gender were risk factors for reinfection with S. japonicum after chemotherapy. In addition, there appeared an antagonism between gender and level of exposure to infected water.

Adult ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Parasite Egg Count ; Praziquantel ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Snails ; parasitology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the outbreak patterns of acute schistosomiasis in Anhui province in 2003.

METHODSThe criteria of emergency event for schistosomiasis issued by the Ministry of Health were applled in this study. Epidemiological data of acute schistosomiasis outbreak in Anhui province in 2003 were collected, checked and analyzed.

RESULTSIn 2003, there were 6 episodes of acute schistosomiasis outbreaks in Anhui which had met the criteria of being emergency events, issued by the Ministry of Health. The preplanning was initiated in 5 outbreaks to respond to the outbreaks of acute schistosomiasis. All of the acute schistosomiasis cases received timing treatment, except those misdiagnosed cases coming from the non-endemic areas. There were no deaths or follow-up cases during the outbreaks. Health education, preventive treatment for people living in high risk villages were conducted in order to timely control the epidemics of schistosomiasis.

CONCLUSIONThe implementation of preplanning has played an important role in early cases-finding, timing report and response to the outbreaks of acute schistosomiasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Cattle ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Disease Reservoirs ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; parasitology