A short review of the previous and current epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in China

Schistosomiasis japonica has long been endemic in the People's Republic of China. In the 1950s, the number of the infected persons was estimated at 10 million; infected snail habitats were estimated at more than 14 billion square metres and infected cattle at 1.2 million. After schistosomiasis...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Li-Ping Cen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 1997-02-01
Series:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86821997000100011
Description
Summary:Schistosomiasis japonica has long been endemic in the People's Republic of China. In the 1950s, the number of the infected persons was estimated at 10 million; infected snail habitats were estimated at more than 14 billion square metres and infected cattle at 1.2 million. After schistosomiasis control measures were carried out, it was a great success. According to the survey of 1989, infected persons were estimated at 0.95 million; infected snails at 3.47 billion and infected cattle at about 0.1 million.These results compared with those of the 1950s show big reductions in prevalence rates 90.5%, 75.2% and 91.6%, respectively. At present, the disease is a threat in the marshland and lake regions and the high mountainous regions. To maintain the success achieved in effective control and to bring the yet endemic marshland and lake regions and mountainous areas under control are hard and long-term tasks confronting the People's Republic of China.<br>A esquistossomose japonica, há séculos, é considerada endêmica na República Popular da China. Em 1950, estimou-se em 10 milhões o número de pessoas infectadas; focos de caramujos infectados ocupavam 14 bilhões de metros quadrados e era de 1,2 milhões o número de gado infectado. As medidas de controle da esquistossomose alcançaram grande sucesso. De acordo com o levantamento realizado em 1989, o número de pessoas infectadas decresceu para 950 mil, focos de caramujos infectados ocupavam 3,47 bilhões de metros quadrados e o número de gado contaminado passou a 100 mil. Estes resultados, quando comparados ao de 1950, mostraram grande redução, sendo de respectivamente, 90,5%, 75,2% e 91,6%. Atualmente, a endemia está presente nas áreas pantanosas, em lagos e nas regiões montanhosas. A manutenção do sucesso obtido e o controle efetivo nas áreas ainda endêmicas é um desafio que exigirá trabalho árduo e a longo prazo na República Popular da China.
ISSN:0037-8682
1678-9849