Reduction patterns of acute schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 May 8;8(5):e2849. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002849. eCollection 2014 May.

Abstract

Background: Despite significant, steady progress in schistosomiasis control in the People's Republic of China over the past 50 years, available data suggest that the disease has re-emerged with several outbreaks of acute infections in the early new century. In response, a new integrated strategy was introduced.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between Jan 2005 and Dec 2012, to explore the effectiveness of a new integrated control strategy that was implemented by the national control program since 2004.

Results: A total of 1,047 acute cases were recorded between 2005 and 2012, with an annual reduction in prevalence of 97.7%. The proportion of imported cases of schistosomiasis was higher in 2011 and 2012. Nine clusters of acute infections were detected by spatio-temporal analysis between June and November, indicating that the high risk areas located in the lake and marshland regions.

Conclusion: This study shows that the new integrated strategy has played a key role in reducing the morbidity of schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology*
  • Schistosomiasis / prevention & control
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Special Science and Technology Project for Major Infectious Diseases of China (Grant No. 2012ZX10004-220, 2008ZX10004-011 and 2012ZX10004-201), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81101280; No. 81101275), Public Health Overseas Fund, Bureau of Health, Shanghai (Grant No. GWHW201216), Surveillance and Early Warning Team Building Program in National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.