Schistosomiasis eradicated in Shanghai:another example for health promotion

This article summarized the history, achievements and experiences in controlling and eradicating schistosomiasis in Shanghai under the concerning of Chairman Mao, described the damage of schistosomiasis endemic and decision making as well as the achievement for elimination. The first tide of schistosomiasis elimination (1956-1969) was to mobilize people to involve into detection and treatment of disease. Combined with farmland renovation, snails were controlled in water conservancy facilities. By repeated molluscacide spraying, the snail density reduced remarkably. The second tide of schistosomiasis elimination was carried out during the difficult periods (1960-1975). Snail control continued until schistosomiasis eliminated. New methods of detection and snail control were improved. Areas with snails were cleaned one by one until completely eliminated. The third tide of elimination was consolidation and surveillance (1975-1990). After repeated detection and surveillance, in total 30 000 oncomelania were captured in 22 towns, among which none was positive. Detection to 150 000 people was carried out, and no new infectious case was found. No new infectious case was found in middle school students,recruit workers and new students. After 35 years of efforts to the successful elimination of schistosomiasis in Shanghai, both the production of the farmlands and life expectancy increased.