Morbidity control of schistosomiasis in China

After reviewing the schistosomiasis control program in China with focusing on the socio-economic impact on schistosomiasis endemicity, we introduce the promotion process of morbidity control strategy undertaken before and during the World Bank Loan Project (WBLP) on Schistosomiasis Control. We analyzed the data derived from case study of morbidity control for schistosomiasis, and evaluated the efficacy of chemotherapy. It is suggested that appropriate drug treatment declines worm burden and the intensity of infection as well as prevalence, but chemotherapy alone can hardly reduce the transmission because zoonotic Schistosoma japonicum infection has a great impact on the transmission of the disease. Therefore, the strategies in different (high, medium, and low) transmission areas during the maintenance stage were put forward in consideration of challenges in national control program in the future. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.