[Distribution characteristics, trend and control strategy of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Wuhu City from 1997 to 2012].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the emerging and re-emerging trend of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Wuhu City from 1997 to 2012, so as to provide the evidence for developing schistosomiasis control strategy.


METHODS
A retrospective survey was conducted. The emerging and re-emerging snail areas were investigated in various years, water systems, settings and countries (districts) based on the historical snail survey results.


RESULTS
The accumulative emerging snail area from 1996 to 2007 was 3479.42 hm2, which was mainly found in marshland areas; while the accumulative re-emerging snail area was 1648.08 hm2, which was mainly concentrated on the inland areas. The longest duration from snail re-emergence to snail elimination was 26 years, and the majority of the duration ranged from 3 to 12 years.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems impossible to avoid snail emergence and re-emergence in Wuhu City, which is closely associated with the natural environment and the implementation of schistosomiasis control measures.
Wuhu Municipal Station of Endemic Diseases Control, Wuhu 241001, China.
Yong
Y
Chen
Wuhu Municipal Station of Endemic Diseases Control, Wuhu 241001, China.
Rong
R
Zhang
Wuhu Municipal Station of Endemic Diseases Control, Wuhu 241001, China.
Lan
L
Gao
Wuhu Municipal Station of Endemic Diseases Control, Wuhu 241001, China.
Jian-Guo
JG
Bao
Anhui Provincial Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, China.
Jia-Chang
JC
He
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D003710:Demography; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012908:Snails; D013997:Time Factors