Approach to surveillance and consolidation during past 15 years after elimination of schistosomiasis in Shanghai.

Shanghai was one of the most heavily endemic areas of schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China. A schistosomiasis control program was started in 1955. In 1975, schistosomiasis was under effective control and in 1985, the criteria for schistosomiasis elimination in the whole municipality area were reached. Some 99.99% of the original schistosomiasis patients had been treated and cured. The positive rate of stool examination among the human population was reduced to 0.03%. Since 1986, after the elimination of schistosomiasis, an overall surveillance and consolidation work was unfolded in Shanghai. The general goals and strategy are: actively implementing the policy 'putting prevention first' in health work; conscientiously carrying out the principal 'integrated management and control in a scientific way' in schistosomiasis control in the People's Republic of China; and to sustain the achievements of elimination of schistosomiasis in the whole city area. The specific methods are as follows: (1) adhering to integrated control and management; and (2) carrying out control work in a scientific way and putting the main direction of attack as a key problem. By the year 2000, the whole city area had remained free from acute schistosome infection as well as infected snails for 26 consecutive years, free from new infection both in humans and in cattle for 22 consecutive years and the achievement of elimination of schistosomiasis had been consolidated for 15 consecutive years.