Progress in the control of schistosomiasis in Mauritius.

Schistosomiasis in Mauritius was mainly dealt with in hospitals and their annexed services until 1988 when a special control programme was started by the Ministry of Health with the technical help of the World Health Organization and the financial assistance of the Theodor Bilharz Foundation (Germany). As only Schistosoma haematobium is present in Mauritius, this consisted of screening for microhaematuria and/or eggs in urine, health education and mollusciciding. All the primary school population, some of the secondary school population, and most of the general population in the foci of infection in the 3 endemic districts of Pamplemousses, Port Louis and Grand Port were screened. There has been a marked reduction in the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the island. In the school population aged 5-11 years, prevalence fell from 0-8.2% in 1988 and 1989 to zero in all the schools surveyed since 1991. The prevalence in the general population fell from an average of 6.6% in 1988 to 0.9% in 1992.