Schistosomiasis control in Saudi Arabia with special reference to the period 1983-1988.
Schistosomiasis control operations carried out between 1983 and 1988 are described, together with information of the impact of schistosomiasis. The prevalence of schistosomiasis has declined from 9.5% in 1983 to 1.8% in 1988 (P less than 0.05). Bulinus truncatus, B. beccarii, and B. reticulatus wrighti are the intermediate hosts of S. haematobium in Saudi Arabia and are distributed unevenly in the different regions. Biomphalaria arabica is the intermediate host of S. mansoni and is found wherever the disease is endemic. The influx of expatriate workers from countries where schistosomiasis is endemic, inaccessible water sources, the constant movement of large numbers of bedouins in some regions, and manpower shortages in some regions are considered to be the main obstacles for schistosomiasis control programmes in Saudi Arabia.
al-Madani
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Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha, Saudi-Arabia.
D000818:Animals; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006801:Humans; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission