title: [Application of space-time scan statistics in early warning of distribution of schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of space-time scan statistics in the early warning of distribution of schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of distribution of infected snails in Anhui Province from 2006 to 2012 were collected, and a spatial database was established by ArcGIS 9.3. The prospective spatial-temporal cluster analysis was done by SaTscan 9.1.1 at the village level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four space-time clusters, which were distributed over the Yangtze River and its branch rivers, were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The space-time scan statistics could detect the distribution of infected snails early, and the space-time clusters found were the key and difficult points of schistosomiasis control in Anhui Province.
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Feng-hua
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Shi-qing
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Jia-chang
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Tian-ping
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Gong-hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, Hefei 230061, China.
authors.forename: Ting-ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000469:parasitology*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000502:physiology*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology*