Infection status of Clonorchis sinensis in residents of Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

Abstract

Oriental liver fluke ( Clonorchis sinensis ) infection was surveyed amongresidents of Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea during the period of January 2001to March 2002. Total 1,041 stool samples were collected from residents who visited PublicHealth Center and its branches in Hamyang-gun and examined using formalin-ethersedimentation method. The overall egg positive rate was 16%, male showing higherpositive rate (21%) than female (10%). The age group of 30 to 50 years had the highest eggpositive rate of C. sinensis from 20% to 22%. The positive examinees were treated withpraziquantel and educated individually to prevent reinfection. Egg positive rate in thisarea was decreased when compared with results recorded in the past, however, stillremained more than 10%. This study suggests that periodic examination, treatment aswell as education of residents should be continued and systematized.