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Achievements of Schistosomiasis Control in China
Hongchang Yuan; Qingwu Jiang; Genming Zhao & Na He
Abstract
The control of schistosomiasis has been spectacularly successful
in terms of controlling endemicity and severity of the disease during the
last 50 years. It can be categorized into two stages. From 1955 through
1980, the transmission-control strategy had been widely and successfully
carried out. By the end of 1980, the epidemic of schistosomiasis was successfully
circumscribed in certain core regions including areas at the middle and
low reaches of the Yangtze River and some mountainous areas in Sichuan and
Yunnan provinces, where control of schistosomiasis had been demonstrated
to be very difficult to be sustained. Therefore, since 1980, schistosomiasis
control in China has been modified to employ a stepwise strategy, based
on which morbidity control has been given priorities and if possible transmission
control has been pursued. However, since snail-ridden areas remain unchanged
so far, reinfections occur frequently. This necessitates a maintenance phase
to consolidate the achievements in the control of schistosomiasis. In the
mean time, we are challenged with some environmental, social and economical
changes in terms of controlling schistosomiasis. Successfully controlling
schistosomiasis in China is still a long-term task but will be achieved
without doubt along with the economic development and the promotion of living
and cultural standard of people.
Keywords
control - schistosomiasis - China
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