Objective: To provide the reference for schistosomiasis control through analyzing the changes of endemic status of schistosomiasis in China in recent years.
Methods: The annual data of schistosomiasis prevention and control from 2002 to 2012 were collected, and the descriptive analysis was conducted to describe the changes of schistosomiasis endemic status.
Results: Sichuan, Yunan and Jiangxi provinces reached the criteria of transmission controlled from 2002 to 2010 while Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces reached the criteria of infection controlled in 2008. The number of counties where the transmission of schistosomiasis was controlled decreased from 110 in 2002 to 80 in 2010. The numbers of estimated schistosomiasis cases and reported acute cases fell from 810.4 thousands and 913 in 2002 to 325.8 thousands and 43 in 2010, respectively, and they were reduced by 59.79% and 95.40% respectively. The number of infected bovine went down from 23,199 in 2002 to 7,173 in 2010, with a fall of 69.03%. However, the Oncomelania hupensis snails breeding areas kept in 3.7 to 3.8 billion m2 and among which, 125 million m2 areas were newly discovered in non-endemic areas during the nine years. In 2010, 90% of schistosomiasis cases, acute cases, infected bovine, and snail breeding areas were concentrated in 5 provinces, especially in the Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake areas and the regions along the Yangtze River.
Conclusions: The epidemic of schistosomiasis decreased significantly from 2002 to 2010. The lake regions are the key and tough areas for schistosomiasis prevention and control. To consolidate the achievements, the surveillance and case management need to be strengthened as the extension of snail breeding areas and acute cases reported from other places becomes common.