[Surveillance and risk assessment system of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province Ⅲ Risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City, so as to provide evidences for establishing a post-transmission surveillance system for schistosomiasis in marshland regions.

METHODS

The water infectivity, floating boatmen and fishermen infection, reservoir host infection and wild feces contamination were investigated in five districts/counties along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City, including Guangling, Hanjiang, Jiangdu, Yizheng and Development Zone, and the transmission factors and risky characteristics were assessed after interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in marshland regions.

RESULTS

A total of 15 key water regions were identified in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City in 2015. A total of 1 500 sentinel mice were placed, after breeding, their overall survival rate was 99.33%; 1 490 were dissected, with no schistosome infection. Of the 5 576 floating boatmen and fishermen examined, no schistosome infection was observed, and among the 3 566 domestic animals (including 171 cattle, 1 895 sheep and 1 500 pigs), no infections were detected. During the period between January and March, 2016, there were 3 200 mouse traps placed on 8 marshlands, and 62 wild mice were captured from 6 marshlands, with a capture rate of 1.94%, and no schistosomeinfected wild mice were seen. In addition, there were 35 pieces of fresh wild feces captured from 7 marshlands, including 11 pieces of bovine feces (31.43%), 17 pieces of sheep feces (48.57%), 2 pieces of dog feces (5.71%) and 5 pieces of other feces (14.29%), and no infections were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a low risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City. However, the contamination of feces from bovine and sheep that are freely pastured on marshlands is a big threat to schistosomiasis control.