Objective: To understand the changes of schistosomiasis endemic situation and water body security in the Changsha City section of the Xiangjiang River.
Methods: The prevention and control measures of schistosomiasis, the status of Oncomelania hupensis snails in the marshlands, and the schistosome infection rates of residents on the both sides of the river and boat fishermen were investigated from 2003 to 2012. The schistosome infectivity of the water body was investigate by the method of sentry mice.
Results: The snail area decreased from 471 hm(2) in 2003 to 28.81 hm(2) in 2012 with the decline rate of 93.88%. Through the environmental modification, no living snails were found in 9 marshlands among the 11 marshlands, and the density of snails was below 0.006/0.1 m(2) in the other 2 marshlands, but no infected snails were found for 7 years. The original snail habitats of Juzhou scenic area were completely modified and no living snails were found from 2008. In the area, no domestic animals were pastured and the schistosome infectivity of the water body was negative with the sentry mouse method for 10 years. In 2003, the schistosome infection rate was 3.63% in the residents, but no new infections were found in original residents after 2010.
Conclusion: The endemic situation of schistosomiasis of the Changsha City section of the Xiangjiang River has reached the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled and the water body of Juzhou scenic area is safe.