Project Background and Significance

Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by parasitic blood flukes. It is prevalent in 78 countries and regions in tropical and subtropical zones. In 2021, it was estimated that at least 251.4 million people worldwide required treatment or preventive therapy for schistosomiasis. This disease is mainly endemic in poor rural communities, particularly in remote areas without access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Schistosomiasis can lead to anemia, stunted growth, liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension syndrome, ascites, and can be fatal in severe cases, causing approximately 11,792 deaths globally each year.

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the roadmap titled "Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030." This roadmap aims to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem in 88% of endemic countries by 2025 and in 100% by 2030. Southeast Asian countries like Laos have also developed national plans or strategies to eliminate schistosomiasis. To support these efforts, WHO, in collaboration with Laos, Cambodia, and the Chinese National Center for Tropical Diseases Research, applied for the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to implement a project titled "Using Poverty Alleviation Strategies to Eliminate Mekong Schistosomiasis" in endemic areas of Laos and Cambodia over the next three years. This project aims to accelerate the elimination of Mekong schistosomiasis in both countries.

Building on the intentions and actions of the aforementioned governments and international organizations, scientifically and reasonably promoting the application of China's schistosomiasis prevention and control experience in the Mekong River Basin is of great significance. It contributes to the regional control and elimination of schistosomiasis, promotes international public health cooperation, and gradually deepens China's participation in global health governance.

This project will extend the 2021 Global Challenge Program and encourage students to innovate China's schistosomiasis prevention and control solutions based on the actual conditions of Southeast Asian countries. The 2021 project focused on refining China's schistosomiasis control experience and reviewing it from a One Health perspective. This project will build on those achievements, systematically analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of transferring and promoting Chinese experiences and technologies in Southeast Asian countries, and propose innovative solutions to accelerate the elimination of schistosomiasis in these countries.

Project Objectives

1. Learn from China's schistosomiasis control experience, project design, and feasibility study elements.

2. Conduct on-site field research in Southeast Asian countries (Laos) to understand the current status and elimination needs of schistosomiasis control.

3. Explore the feasibility and applicability of transferring China's schistosomiasis control experience (including concepts and strategies) and technologies (including new diagnostic tools and detection products) to Southeast Asian countries.

4. Provide innovative solutions and implementation technologies for the elimination of schistosomiasis in Southeast Asian countries.

5. Contribute Jiao Tong University's technical expertise to the elimination of Mekong schistosomiasis.