Progress in urinary schistosomiasis control measures in Iran.

During a ten-year field survey from 1980 to 1989, 1518 cases of Schistosoma haematobium were detected in Khoozestan province, the only area in south-west Iran where urinary schistosomiasis is prevalent. Most of the cases were detected by urine examination and a few by bladder biopsies. The incidence of infection was 0.653% in 1980, 0.021% in 1988 and 0.042% in 1989. Strict control measures, including mass chemotherapy and mollusciciding, were used to help reduce the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. The 20-29-year-old age group was the most infected; there were no sex differences.