Effect of an integrated intervention for schistosomiasis control implemented in marshlands of Jiangning District, Nanjing City from 2003 to 2012

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of an integrated intervention for schistosomiasis control implemented in marshlands of Jiangning District,Nanjing City from 2003 to 2012.Methods The data regarding the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and the integrated intervention for schistosomiasis control implemented in the endemic regions along the Yangtze River,Jiangning District from 2003 to 2012 were collected,and the changes of morbidity due to schistosomiasis and snail status before and after the implementation of the integrated intervention were compared.Results The 10-year implementation of the integrated intervention for schistosomiasis control resulted in a gradual decline in the human Schistosoma japonicum infection in the marshland regions along the Yangtze River of Jiangning District,the schistosome infection rate of the residents was 0.97％ in 2003 while no stool-positive resident has been detected since 2006.In addition,the infection rate of S.japonicum in domestic animals was 0.60％(4/671) in 2003,and all cattles have been eliminated in the regions along the Yangtze River since 2007.The snail areas and the density of living snail declined from 1 084 ha(1 ha=10 000 m2) and 1.54 head/0.1 m2 in 2003 to 475 ha and 0.01 head/0.1 m2 in 2012,the decline rates were 52.94％ and 99.35％.In 2003 the area with infected snails was 279 ha while no infected snails have been found since 2009.Conclusions Owing to the 10-year implementation of the integrated intervention for schistosomiasis control,the endemic situation of schistosomiasis has been down to a low level in the marshland regions along the Yangtze River of Jiangning District; however,the monitoring of schistosomiasis should be still strengthened to consolidate the achievements gained. Key words: Marshland endemic region; Schistosomiasis; Integrated intervention; Effectiveness evaluation; Jiangning District