Abstract: Objective  To observe the effect of field deratization combined with routine control measures to check the source of schistosomiasis in areas where wild rats are the main source of infection. Methods  Three endemic villages of schistosomiasis were selected in Shitai County. Among them, the experimental village (Jitan Village and Shiquan Village) underwent routine control measures in combination with field deratization once, and the control village (Xibai Village) only received routine control measures. After one year, the density of wild rats and schistosomiasis infection were evaluated. Results  The density of rats before and after deratization was 9.91% (75/757) and 4.99% (34/681) in Jitan Village, and 5.31% (32/623) and 3.28% (17/519) in Shiquan Village, respectively (χ2=12.362, P<0.001; χ2=2.756，P>0.05). The density of rats before and after control in Xibai Village (the control village) was 3.44% (20/582) and 4.45% (21/472), respectively. The difference was insignificant (χ2=0.715, P>0.05). The infection rate of wild rats before and after deratization was 36.00% (27/75) and 17.65% (6/34) in Jitan Village(the experimental village), 18.75% (6/32) and 11.76% (2/17) in Shiquan Village, 5.00% (1/20) and 14.29% (3/21) in Xibai Village, respectively. There was no significant difference in infection rates before and after intervention among the three villages (χ2=2.756, 0.050, 0.226, all P>0.05). Conclusion  In schistosomiasis endemic areas where wild rats are the main source of infection, field deratization is feasible to reduce the density of wild rats and the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in a short period of time, but the effect needs to be further evaluated.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Infection source control, Wild rodents, Effect evaluation, Shitai County