title: Schistosomiasis japonica: modelling as a tool to explore transmission patterns.
abstract: Modelling is an important tool for the exploration of Schistosoma japonicum transmission patterns. It provides a general theoretical framework for decision-makers and lends itself specifically to assessing the progress of the national control programme by following the outcome of surveys. The challenge of keeping up with the many changes of social, ecological and environmental factors involved in control activities is greatly facilitated by modelling that can also indicate which activities are critical and which are less important. This review examines the application of modelling tools in the epidemiological study of schistosomiasis japonica during the last 20 years and explores the application of enhanced models for surveillance and response. Updated and timely information for decision-makers in the national elimination programme is provided but, in spite of the new modelling techniques introduced, many questions remain. Issues on application of modelling are discussed with the view to improve the current situation with respect to schistosomiasis japonica.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; Medicine School, Hubei University for Nationalities, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jun-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Normal University of Gannan, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qing-Yun
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Men-Bao
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Ingerod, Brastad, Sweden.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergquist
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: ipdzhouxn@sh163.net.
authors.forename: Xiao-Nong
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Epidemiology; Modelling; Schistosomiasis japonica; Surveillance People's Republic of China; Transmission