Strategy of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis and its effects in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of the strategy of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. The comprehensive prevention and control strategy was carried out in RunzhouDistrict, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. The strategy was relied mainly on the Oncomelania hupensis snail control, extended chemotherapy of schistosomiasis in residents and the health education. The infection rate of schistosomiasis in residents, area with snails, area with snails controlled, and the rates of awareness and correct behavior of schistosomiasis were as evaluation indexes. The area with snails controlled was 7 091.50 hm2 in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City from 2001 to 2016. The area with snails reduced year by year from 2001 to 2016. There was a negative correlation between the coverage intensity of snail control and the area with snails (r = -0.874, P = 0). There were 1 703 serum positive and 199 fecal positive people of schistosomiasis in the permanent residents from 2001 to 2016. These serum and fecal positive people of schistosomiasis were all treated with praziquantel. The serum positive rate of schistosomiasis in the permanent residents dropped to below 1.0% after 2005. The fecal positive patients were not found in 2004 and later. Totally 189 639 people received the questionnaire survey for the knowledge of schistosomiasis control from 2001 to 2016. The rates of awareness and correct behavior of schistosomiasis were raised in the residents year by year. The goal of the transmission interruption of schistosomiasis came to true in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City in 2016. The comprehensive prevention and control strategy including mainly the snail control, extended chemotherapy of schistosomiasis and health education could achieve the goal of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis in the areas of marshland along the Yangtze River.