OBJECTIVE: To study a reliable, friendly environmental and sustainable Oncomelania snail control method in marshlands of the Xiangjiang River.METHODS: According to the special characteristics of the marshlands of the Xiangjiang River, smoothing and cultivating in beaches were applied for snail control. In sections with scarce distribution of snails, lowering parts of 4.4 beaches and raising other parts were added.RESULTS: Since 2003, the project has been practiced for 8 years. The average snail density declined by 99.83% with the simple smoothing beaches and then cultivation there. The average snail density declined by 100% with lowering parts of beaches and raising other parts and then cultivation. The schistosome infection rate was 0.31% with a declined rate of 93.84% in residents in 2006. The schistosome infection rate was 1.03% in 2010. The test result of water contamination was negative.CONCLUSIONS: The method of simple smoothing beaches and then cultivation can control the density of snails in marshlands and the method of lowering parts of beaches and raising other parts and then cultivation is more effective.
Animals China