Changing trends of main endemic indicators of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake area

Objective To analyze the main endemic indicators and their changing trend of schistosomiasis since the founding of new China for 60 years in Dongting Lake regions.Methods A variety of archival data on schistosomiasis epidemiology and control were collected,and several mathematical models were applied to estimate the main endemic indicators of schistosomiasis.Results Compared to those in 1950s,the infection rates of schistosomiasis among human and cattle in 2010 were declined by 89.3% and 94.7%,respectively;the number of schistosomiasis patients was reduced from 600 thousand to 88 thousand;the number of acute schistosomiasis patients dropped from 2 732 to 18;and that of advanced schistosomiasis patients decreased from 55 thousand to 5 632.Conclusions The high priority by government authority,suitable control models according to local conditions and huge resources are the cornerstone of success on schistosomiasis control in Dongting Lake regions.