Evaluation of effectiveness of comprehensive schistosomiasis control project in Yunnan Province from 2004 to 2013

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control project in Yunnan Province after its implementation for ten years, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the future prevention and control strategy. METHODS: The data of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control project and the endemic situation were collected and analyzed to evaluate the control effect of the project in Yunnan Province from 2004 to 2013. RESULTS: After the comprehensive control project implementation for ten years, the Oncomelania hupensis snail area in Yunnan Province decreased from 4,364.79 hm2 in 2004 to 1,528.50 hm2 in 2013, with a reduction rate of 64.98%, and the occurrence rate of frames with snails and the density of living snails decreased from 4.71% and 0.26 snails/0.1 m2 in 2004 to 1.35% and 0.04 snails/0.1 m2 in 2013, with the reduction rates of 71.34% and 84.62%, respectively. The schistosome infected snails were found only in 2011 and 2013 since 2008. In 2013, the infection rates of human (0.0021%) and cattle (0.0209%) decreased by 99.84% and 99.44%, respectively, compared to those in 2004, and no acute schistosome infection cases were found since 2008. The 212 villages with relatively serious endemic situation (Type One, Type Two and Type Three) all declined to the slight endemic villages (Type Four and Type Five), therefore, they reached the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission controlled or interrupted. The awareness rates of schistosomiasis control among villagers and students in endemic areas were above 90% and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The effect of the comprehensive schistosomiasis control project is significant in Yunnan Province, but the task to consolidate and enlarge the control results still remains a challenge.