History of schistosomiasis control in China: From discovery to transmission interruption

doi:10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2025.02.001

Abstract

Abstract:

The first modern medical description of schistosomiasis had been recorded in China for 120 years. Following decades of efforts, remarkable achievements have been obtained in schistosomiasis control in China, and the criterion of transmission interruption has been achieved in China by the end of 2023, with 78.49% of endemic counties reaching the target for schistosomiasis elimination. Due to climate change, natural disasters, and population mobility there are still multiple challenges to achieve the goal of schistosomiasis elimination and sustainably consolidate the achievements of disease elimination in China. It is recommended to continue to implement the integrated strategy with an emphasis on management of the source of Schistosoma japonicum infections and intensified snail control in key environments, strengthen surveillance, forecasting and risk assessment, innovate science and technology-empowered schistosomiasis control tools, and improve the capability building for high-quality acceleration of the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination in China.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Discovery, Transmission interruption, Elimination

CLC Number:

R532.21

XU Jing, WANG Qiang, GUO Suying, ZHANG Lijuan, ZHOU Xiaonong, LI Shizhu. History of schistosomiasis control in China: From discovery to transmission interruption[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2025, 43(2): 155-161.

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