A pilot study for control of hyperendemic cystic hydatid disease in China.
BACKGROUND
Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is a global parasitic zoonosis caused by the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is hyperendemic in western China because of poor economic development; limited community knowledge of CHD; widespread, small-scale household animal production; home killing of livestock; and the feeding of dogs with uncooked offal.


RESULTS
A control program focusing on monthly praziquantel (PZQ) treatment of all registered dogs and culling unwanted and stray dogs has been designed to control CHD in hyperendemic areas in China. A pilot field control project in two counties (Hutubi and Wensu) in Xinjiang, China showed that after 4 years of treatment, the prevalence of dogs with E. granulosus was reduced from 14.7% and 18.6%, respectively, to 0%, and this caused a 90%-100% decrease of CHD in sheep born after commencement of the control program.


CONCLUSIONS
The strategy aimed at preventing eggs being released from dogs into the environment by treating animals before adult tapeworms are patent can decrease E. granulosus transmission and considerably reduce hyperendemic CHD. Monthly treatment of dogs with PZQ and culling unwanted and stray dogs have been shown to be an efficient, highly cost-effective and practicable measure for implementation in rural communities. As a result, the Chinese Ministry of Health has launched an extensive CHD control program in 117 counties in western China using this control strategy.
Xinjiang Veterinary Research Institute, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. wenbaozhang62@yahoo.com.cn
Wenbao
W
Zhang
Zhuangzhi
Z
Zhang
Turhong
T
Yimit
Baoxin
B
Shi
Hasyeti
H
Aili
Gulnor
G
Tulson
Hong
H
You
Jun
J
Li
Darren J
DJ
Gray
Donald P
DP
McManus
Jincheng
J
Wang
D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D011223:Praziquantel