human angiostrongyliasis outbreak in dali, china人类寄生虫在大理爆发,中国.pdfVIP

Human Angiostrongyliasis Outbreak in Dali, China 1 1 2 3 2 2 3 Shan Lv , Yi Zhang , Shao-Rong Chen , Li-Bo Wang , Wen Fang , Feng Chen , Jin-Yong Jiang , Yuan-Lin 2 3 1 Li , Zun-Wei Du , Xiao-Nong Zhou * 1 National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, 2 Institute of Research and Control of Schistosomiasis in Dali Prefecture, Dali, People’s Republic of China, 3 Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Puer, People’s Republic of China Abstract Background: Several angiostrongyliasis outbreaks have been reported in recent years but the disease continues to be neglected in public health circles. We describe an outbreak in Dali, southwest China in order to highlight some key problems for the control of this helminth infection. Methodology/Principal Findings: All available medical records of suspected angiostrongyliasis patients visiting hospitals in Dali in the period 1 October 2007–31 March 2008 were reviewed, and tentative diagnoses of varying strengths were reached according to given sets of criteria. Snails collected from local markets, restaurants and natural habitats were also screened for the presence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. A total of 33 patients met criteria for infection, and 11 among them were classified as clinically confirmed. An additional eight patients were identified through a surveillance system put in operation in response to the outbreak. The epidemic lasted for 8 months with its peak in February 2008. Of the 33 patients, 97.0% complained of severe headache. 84.8% patients had high eosinophil cell counts either in the peripheral bloo