[Geographic information systems spatial analysis on transmission of schistosomiasis in China].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the epidemiologic status and geographical distribution of schistosomiasis in China.


METHODS
Relevant detabases were set up after collection of data from two National Sampling Surveys on Schistosomiasis, in 1989 and 1995. Spatial analysis was undertaken after the database linked to the GIS software which was supported by Arc View 3.0a. Correlation analysis was performed to understand the relationship between rates of human infection and cattle infection.


RESULTS
The epidemic areas of schistosomiasis with high risk are mainly distributed in the marshland along the Yangtze River and can be identified as five spatial distribution regions based on the results of spatial analysis. Both epidemic areas and positive rates of stool examination in cattle and water buffalo are much wider and higher than that in humans. The positive correlation was seen between infection rate in human and in cattle from data of both sampling surveys.


CONCLUSIONS
The relevant strategy for schistosomiasis control in different spatial regions should be performed accordingly and the measures of control for cattle and water buffalo should be strengthened in the endemic areas.
Zhou
X
X
Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis, Wuxi 214064, China.
Sun
L
L
Jiang
Q
Q
Guo
J
J
Wang
T
T
Lin
D
D
Yang
G
G
Hong
Q
Q
Huang
T
T
Zhang
S
S
Wang
Q
Q
Hu
F
F
Guo
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary