SCHISTOSOMAHAEMATOBIUM CONTROL IN KHOOZESTAN PROVINCE IN IRAN: PROSPERITIES AND FAILURES

Schistosoma haematobium is a parasite that is carried by freshwater snails and induces gastrointestinal and urinary disease, depending on its species. In Khoozestan, one of the provinces in Iran, schistosomiasis was endemic. This study reports the results of schistosomiasis control in this region. From 1981 to 2001 nearly 650 villages and 20 cities were under surveillance for S. haematobium. More than 1.5 million urine samples were taken and positive cases were treated. From 1981 to 1990 there were 1158 positive cases; whereas, from 1991 to 2000 only 98 cases were reported and from 2000 to 2001 we could not detect any positive cases. The northwest ofKhoozestan was the most infected area. Schistosoma haematobium can be eradicated provided that anationwide health care project comprising public health education, environment decontamination, case finding, screening, and chemotherapy is designed and held meticulously.