Prevalence of human and ovine hepatic hydatid disease diagnosed by ultrasound in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County of Xinjiang

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of human and ovine hepatic hydatid disease in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County of Xinjiang (HMACX)and to evaluate the related strategies for prevention and control of the disease. METHODS: A prevalence screening method was used to screen local residents and sheep for hydatid disease in HMACX. Based on B ultrasound images, the screening programs on people and sheep in different sites were carried and the findings were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: Findings of B ultrasound images through screening program among human beings showed that the positive rates of hydatid diseases 4.4% (23/521), of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis as 4.0% (21/521) and 0.8% (4/521)respectively. The infection rate on sheep was 3.8% (7/180). The positive rates of human and ovine hepatic hydatid disease in Township Chagangule were higher than in other areas. There was no significant statistical difference noticed on human positive rates between Township Chagangule and other areas. Statistically, significant difference for positive rate in ovine was seen between Township Chagangule and Township Bayinaowa(χ(2) = 4.8259, P = 0.0280). As intermediate host of hydatid disease, the infection rate in sheep was higher than that in human beings at Township Chagangule. CONCLUSION: HMACX remained a highly endemic area for human and ovine hydatid disease.