Evaluation of chemotherapy in the control of Schistosoma mansoni in Marquis Valley, Saint Lucia. II. Biological results

Abstract

Following the final chemotherapy campaign of a 4-year program, the biological assessment of transmission of Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated for 5 years. No infected Biomphalaria glabrata were found amongst 28,791 and 13,550 snails examined from flowing and static index sites, respectively. However, 89 infected snails of 16,602 examined (0.54%) were found from additional sites. Sentinel snails examined between March 1974 and October 1977 revealed no infections and their use was discontinued. Following an increase in transmission, routine focal mollusciciding at 4-weekly intervals was introduced in March 1980. The cost for eight applications was US $641, representing a cost per caput of $0.21. These figures, extrapolated to a full year's control, become $1,042 and $0.35, respectively. The maximum cost was for the molluscicide, which absorbed 71.5% of the total. The data suggest that the main transmission of S. mansoni occurs in the dry season, in flowing habitats, as it does elsewhere in St. Lucia.