Pilot study of schistosomiasis control in Poyang lake region.

AIM: To perform a longitudinal survey of the control of schistosomiasis in Fanhu Village hyperendemic for schistosomiasis, Poyang Lake region of Jiangxi Province from 1992 to 1996.

METHODS

Annual mass chemotherapy and health education were implemented in all investigated individuals, in 1996, artesunate was used in high risk population in transmission season as a prophylactic measure.

RESULTS

The prevalence of S. japonicum infection reduced from 26.0% in 1992 to 10.7% in 1994, the intensity of infection (geometric mean of EPG of feces) in residents decreased from 1.92 in 1992 to 0.55 in 1994, and the morbidity indicators such as hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in the cases also have been improved significantly after chemotherapy. In 1995, both the infection rate and intensity of infection of schistosomiasis were recurred from 10.7% and 0.55 in 1994 to 18.4% and 1.04 respectively due to the floods. In 1996, the infection rate reduced to 5.0% and the intensity of infection also decreased to 0.25 due to the additional measure.

CONCLUSION

A mass chemotherapy in conjunction with health education and oral artesunate for preventing reinfection in transmission season is effective for the control of schistosomiasis in lake regions.