Abstract: Objective To analyze the difficulties and challenges in current schistosomiasis prevention and control under the influence of COVID-19 epidemic,and investigate the priority and focus following the COVID-19 epidemic,as well as propose some key points in following schistosomiasis control,so as to provide decision-making basis and technical support for promoting the elimination of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province. Methods By the actual situation of schistosomiasis control in Hunan Province under COVID-19 prevalence and the goals to eliminate schistosomiasis,we conducted a series of surveys in 16 counties (districts) in Hunan,where the areas are heavily responsible for schistosomiasis prevention and relatively serious in COVID-19 epidemic,through questionnaires,interviews and video conferences,and analyzed the short and long-term effects of COVID-19 prevalence on the work involved in schistosomiasis prevention and control. Results During the emergency period in prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic,efforts of all organizations in the areas surveyed were thrown in prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic,which produced significant short-term impact on schistosomiasis prevention and control,and the impacts were prominent in screening and treatment of schistosomiasis on population basis, provision of health education and epidemic monitoring. The completion rate for each mission as scheduled was less than 20%. Nevertheless,the delayed tasks during regular prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic were generally made up. Most interviewees considered that they shall insist on fully executing the mission and achieving the goal of schistosomiasis prevention and control as well as completely funding the prevention program,and expected that the tasks was to be successfully completed by the end this year. Conclusion COVID-19 epidemic,to a certain degree,has produced short-term impact on the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province. However,schistosomiasis prevention and control workers should learn from prevention and control of COVID-19 prevalence,and spare no efforts to improve the capacity and  level of coping with the major public health emergencies by strengthening construction of early,intelligent monitoring and warning systems in the future.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Elimination, COVID-19, Hunan Province