[Role of goat in transmission of schistosomiasis japonica IV Goat breeding in endemic regions and role of goat in schistosomiasis transmission].

This review describes the major species, number, breeding pattern, ratio of fenced to freely grazed goat, susceptibility to Schistosoma japonicum, pattern of S. japonicum infection, infection rate, intensity of infection, fecal contamination of goat that were bred in 5 marshland and lake provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu, and two mountainous provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan, and demonstrates the associations of infected goat distribution with the distribution of infected Oncomelania hupensis snails and humans. Considering the huge number of goat which were predominantly grazed freely in marshland and lake endemic regions of China, the high infection rate, numerous environmental pollution by goat feces, as well as the close correlation between the infected goat distribution and infected snail distribution, goat is considered as a major infectious source for schistosomiasis japonica in China, and to play a critical role in the transmission of the disease. Since the control of schistosomiasis in animals is critical to schistosomiasis interruption and elimination, it is suggested that the integrated management of goat schistosomiasis should be included in the national schistosomiasis control program of China.