[Application of infrared camera technique in investigation of wild animals as infectious source of schistosomiasis].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species and activities of wild animals infected with schistosome in hilly and mountain areas by using an infrared camera technique, so as to provide the evidence for the surveillance of schistosomiasis in these areas. METHODS: Six infrared cameras were selected and placed in 6 environments of the risk monitoring points of schistosomiasis in Shitai County in Anhui Province. The species and activities of the wild animals in the 6 environments were observed through the photographs and videos taken by the cameras. RESULTS: Through 5 day's monitoring, 3 wild mammals, such as voles, hares and wild boars, were found in 4 monitoring environments, of which voles were found at 2 environments with snails, and hares, wild boars and voles were found in 2 environments adjacent to environments with snails respectively. The monitoring showed that the vole activity was most frequent in the monitored environment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of infrared camera technique has a good effect in the investigation of wild animal infectious source of schistosomiasis, and it is also suitable for the monitoring work in other types of environments.