Infectious diseases of povertyChinaSchistosomiasisHumansHistory20th Century
From endemic shadows to the light of dawn: the 120-year journey of China's anti-schistosomiasis chariot.
Shan Lv, Li-Gang Zhou, Jing Xu, Shi-Zhu Li, Robert Bergquist, Jürg Utzinger, Xiao-Nong Zhou
Published: 202510.1186/s40249-025-01395-5
Abstract
Open AccessSchistosomiasis was first reported in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) 120 years ago. The national programme of schistosomiasis control started in mid-1950s. The transmission interruption was achieved by 2023. Here we summarize the experience as the five core parts of a running chariot. While the specific historical context of P.R. China's way of schistosomiasis control may be difficult to replicate, the experiences gained underscore several critical principles that might be applicable elsewhere.