Progress in schistosomiasis control in China.
OBJECTIVE
To briefly review schistosomiasis situation in the past, progress in the control program and problems to be solved.


METHODS
Data from literature published at home and abroad on the control and research of schistosomiasis in China in biomedical journals and monographs, and a few data from the Office of Endemic Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, are collected.


METHODS
Information on this topic are screened and the important ones are selected.


RESULTS
Schistosomiasis in China was serious. Through hard work for control for half decade, great progress has been achieved after implementation of the control program. Control approaches are introduced. Compared with data in the early 1950s, endemic provinces decreased from 12 to 5, infected persons, from more than 10 million to around 865,000, and the areas of Oncomelania snail habitats, from 14 billion m2 to 3.6 billion m2. Proportion of symptomatic patients among those infected has a significant reduction. The national criteria for control and elimination of schistosomiasis in China are introduced.


CONCLUSIONS
The achievements of schistosomiasis control are tremendous but the tasks in China are arduous. Especially after last year's heavy flood, areas of snail habitats are increasing. To consolidate the success and to put the still endemic areas under control are long-term and arduous tasks confronting China.
Chen
M
M
Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai 200025, China.
D000818:Animals; D000077549:Artemether; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D037621:Artemisinins; D012556:Schistosomicides; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; D000077549:Artemether