Public health importance of cystic echinococcosis in China.

Cystic echinococcosis has been recorded in 21 out of China's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (approximately 87% of territory). It constitutes one of the major public health problems, especially in several northwestern provinces and autonomous regions. This paper reviews the general situation, diagnosis, treatment, education and control programmes and international cooperation. Special attention is given to the Xinjiang, an endemic area about one sixth of the country's area with a human population of approximately 16 million.