Abstract:

To analyze the effectiveness and feasibility of Fall Campaign on Snail Control in Ruichang, Jiangxi Province, from 2012 to 2018, so as to provide reference and suggestions for the better control of oncomelania snail that transmits schistosomiasis. Data related to the villages, participants, invested fund involved in the Fall Campaign on Snail Control in Ruichang, Jiangxi, during 2012 to 2018 were collected. The effect of the campaign on the snail control was evaluated by the reduction of snail occurrence area, occurrence rate of frame with snail and snail density. Total 333 institutions (units) and 187 persons led by mayor had participated in the campaign from 2012 to 2018, with total investment of 2.9138 million yuan. Total 58.46 t of mullosicidal suspension drugs and 12.96 t of mullosicidal powder were used during the 7 years campaign and 4 986.67 hm² snail areas were fulfilled. During 2012-2015, the eliminated snail areas exceeded the area with snails found in that year. During 2016-2018, it did not exceed the area with snails found in that year, with the largest gap in 2016. From 2012 to 2018, the area with snail decreased year by year after the campaign was launched with the lowest in 2017. During the 7 years, the total checked area for snail was 21 218 hm², and 4 611.41 hm² was found with snails. The area with snails decreased from 2012 to 2015, reaching a minimum of 561.62 hm² in 2015, with little difference from 2012 (P > 0.05). The area of snails increased significantly after flood in 2016, which was significantly different from that in 2012 (P < 0.05) and 2015 (P < 0.05), reaching a peak of 789.31 hm² in 2017. From 2012 to 2015, the occurrence rate of frames with snail decreased from 16.66% to 11.59% with significant difference in changes among these years (P < 0.01). After the flood in 2016, the occurrence rate of frame with snails rebounded and increased to a maximum of 30.30% in 2017, which is significantly higher than that in 2015 and 2016（P < 0.01）. In 2018, the occurrence rate of snail frame decreased to 28.96%. From 2012 to 2015, the density of living snails decreased from 0.26/0.1 m² per frame to 0.17/0.1 m². After the flood, the density of living snails slightly increased to 0.190/.1 m² in 2016 and big jumped to 0.61/0.1 m² in 2017. In 2018, it slightly decreased to 0.53/0.1 m² with no significant decrease compared to 2017. After launch of The Fall Campaign on Snail Control, government paid great attention to it and several departments were actively involved. The areas with snail and snail density was decreased. However, the initiative enthusiasm has turned sour at the end and effective control of snail cannot achieve based only on the campaign. Natural disasters such as flood could rebound the snail spread that offset the efforts of the campaign.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Molluscicide, Fall campaign on snail control