[Achievements and challenges in schistosomiasis control in China]

Achievements for schistosomiasis control have been gained by implementation of integrated control strategies according to local conditions since the founding of the People's Republic of China. By the end of 2008, 5 of the 12 provinces reached the criteria of transmission interruption. Among 454 endemic counties, transmission was interrupted in 265 counties while 97 counties reached the criteria of transmission control. The number of schistosomiasis cases decreased from 10 million in history to 413,000. Currently, there still left 92 counties where the disease is endemic and mainly distributed in lake and mountainous regions. Limited by the environmental and socioeconomic factors, integrated control strategies could not be carried out in these places. Although the strategies based on reducing the roles of humans and cattle as resources of infection decreased the infection rate and intensity quickly, re-infection occurred frequently due to the spread of snails and numerous animal reservoirs. Chemotherapy alone could not interrupt the transmission. By changing the traditional bio-medical control model applying integrated control strategy mainly with social measures, integrating disease control with local social and economic development programs, changing the traditional life styles and agricultural production patterns, and eliminating the risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission, schistosomiasis control can be developed sustainably and reach the criteria of transmission interruption finally.