PROGRESS IN URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS CONTROL MEASURES IN IRAN

During a ten-year field survey from 1980 to 1989, 1518 cases of Schist osoma haematobium were detected in Khoozestan province, the only area in south-west Iran where urinary schistosomiasis is prevalent. Most of the cases were detected by urine examination and a few by bladder bio psies. The incidence of infection was 0.653% in 1980, 0.021% in 1988 a nd 0.042% in 1989. Strict control measures, including mass chemotherap y and mollusciciding, were used to help reduce the prevalence of urina ry schistosomiasis. The 20-29-year-old age group was the most infected ; there were no sex differences.