Experiments in schistosomiasis control in St. Lucia

ABSTRACT

The comparative parasitological effectiveness and cost of three methods of reducing transmission of S. mansoni were investigated in isolated valleys in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Changes in incidence were assessed during four years of snail control, community based chemotherapy and when households were provided with piped water and communities with laundry and shower units. Incidence was reduced by all methods, but most rapidly by chemotherapy. It increased, however, after a few years unless either focal snail control or water supplies with laundry and shower facilities were provided. Over a nine year period, chemotherapy was shown to be the least costly method of control (US $ 0.50/person/year), but this would be reduced with the use of recently introduced technology and drugs (AU)