Chj. Schutte et al., EXPERIENCES IN THE CONTROL OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS-HAEMATOBIA IN THE LAKE SIBAYA AREA OF NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 50, 1995, pp. 111-124
In the area surrounding Lake Sibaya in northern KwaZulu-Natal, prevale
nces of Schistosoma haematobium in most communities were above 80% whi
le S. mansoni infections were rare. An intervention programme was cond
ucted in the area using chemotherapy (Biltricide(R)) and focal snail c
ontrol (Bayluscide(R)). The programme was aimed predominantly at child
ren attending seven primary schools. Despite many problems experienced
, e.g. a high absentee rate and the reluctance of parents to sign info
rmed consent forms, prevalence, and particularly intensity of infectio
n, reached extremely low levels within 11 months and after two mass tr
eatments, eight months apart. On the basis of experiences gained durin
g this control programme, we were able to make recommendations regardi
ng the control of schistosomiasis haematobia in northern KwaZulu-Natal
and other endemic areas in South Africa.