The challenges and strategies in schistosomiasis control program in China

in spite of the great achievements gained in the national schistosomiasis control program during the last 5 decades, serious challenges for the control program exist due to the impact of biological factors, environmental facts and limitation of scientific technology, as well as shortages of socio-economic development in the endemic areas. This paper reviewed the experiences of the national control program, then the author considered it essential to put forward a newly sustainable strategy with an emphasis on the areas with high endemicity of schistosomiasis, on poverty-stricken areas, especially in the Western part of the People's Republic of China. when taking into account both the opportunities and challenges of the future. It is expected that the schistosomiasis control program with a sustainable strategy would promote local economic development in the People's Republic of China. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.