Abstract:

【Abstract】 Objective  To investigate the measures for snail control in subtype epidemic areas within the embankment in Hanshou county, Hunan Province. Methods  Archival data on schistosomiasis epidemiology and control were collected in Hanshou county from 2004 through 2015, and analyzed with the snail change to evaluate the effects and measures implemented in snail control within the embankment. Results  The areas with snails were reduced from 99.64 hm2 in 2004 to 0.87 hm2 in 2015 inside embankment of Hanshou county(a drop of 99.1%). The average density of living snail was declined to 0.01/0.11 m2 in 2015 from 0.15/0.11m2 in 2004, and the number of and areas with infected snail were sharply decreased. No infected snails were found between 2006 and 2015. Conclusion  The measures, implemented on molluscicide use basis plus transforming rice fields into dry land, raising killing snails, land leveling, hardening of the local canals and ditches, reconstruction of the culverts and sluices and modification of the micro-environment, have led to effective control and elimination of the snail prevalence within the embankment of Hanshou county. Nevertheless, governments at different levels are suggested to continue to increase investment in comprehensive management programs for final eradication of local schistosomiasis.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Snail control, Effect evaluation, Inside embankment, Hanshou County