[Control of intestinal schistosomiasis in Martinique island]

The presence of schistosomiasis mansoni is known in Martinique since the beginning of the XXth century. A general survey of the distribution of the disease was carried out in 1977 and showed a mean prevalence of 12% (coprology and serology taken together) in the whole of the island. Following this survey, an integrated control programme associating sanitary education, detection and treatment of patients and improved sanitation, was developed. In addition, a biological control programme against the intermediate snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata using the competitor snail, Melanoides tuberculata, was developed in the transmission sites. The decline of snail populations and of its parasite, as well as a strong reduction of the prevalence in humans were recorded between 1977 and 1996. At the present time, only few cases corresponding to older infections are detected. This epidemiological situation is quite different from that in Guadeloupe island where, in spite of an excellent control programme which was achieved on the Basse-Terre district, an important focus is still functioning on Grande-Terre district with the black rat as host reservoir. Such foci do not exist on Martinique island.