After considering some specific epidemiological situations and the possibilities of control different programmes and methods were reviewed and discussed. Sanitation, mollusc control treatment of human cases and education were analysed as parts of an integrated project, and according to the objectives that must be adopted by national authorities four principal alternatives were described: a) mollusc control followed by treatment of parasitized people: b) mollusc control and mass treatment, when prevalence is very high, followed by periodic search and treatment of cases: c) periodic treatments, during low or no transmission periods: d) and vector erradication (where it is feasible) followed by human treatment and epidemiological vigilance. Emphasis was put on governamental decision, good planning, community participation and continuous evaluation.
Biomphalaria; Bulinus; Community participation; Control; Epidemiology; Molluscicides; Sanitation; Sanitary education; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis; Treatment