[Risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission on rescue workers involved in "Oriental Star shipwreck event"].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the "Oriental Star shipwreck event" on the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Jianli County, Hubei Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate measures of schistosomiasis prevention and control.

METHODS

Based on the field observation and investigation, the data of the on-the-spot rescue and the historical endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Jianli County were collected and analyzed. Meanwhile, the focus group discussion and risk matrix were conducted to assess the risk of schistosome infection of the rescuers.

RESULTS

Over 10 000 rescuers participated in the search operation, including the armed police forces, local people, reservists and so on. The armed police forces were the major components, which accounted for 39%. Jianli country was schistosomiasis endemic area with a high infection level in history, but the endemic situation had been mitigated significantly after years of positive prevention and treatment; the schistosome infection rate of population was 0.44% in 2014 and the Oncomelania hupensis snail area was only 6.6 hm2 around the rescue areas in the upstream and downstream. In addition, the snail density was not high, and no infected snails had been found for 11 years. The risk of schistosome infection was in the medium level.

CONCLUSIONS

Though there exists the schistosome infection risk in the water area where the accident happened, the probability of occurrence is not high. In order to prevent the outbreak and endemic of schistosomiasis, the protection measures and health education to the rescuers as well as snail control and monitoring, and early-warning should be strengthened.