Introduction

Abstract

Several areas in Japan where people suffered from life threatening diseases of unknown origin have occurred in the past. In 1904, Profs. F. Katsurada and A. Fujinami discovered Schistosoma japonicum the causative agent of schistosomiasis. In 1909, Prof. K. Miyairi and Dr. M. Suzuki discovered the intermediate snail host Oncomelania nosophora. Afterwards, two scientists from Britain visited Japan and confirmed these discoveries. They then started investigations on the intermediate host snails Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma manasoni in Africa and the near East. These discoveries and other efforts made possible the beginning of schistosomiasis control. Schistosomiasis japonica was finally eradicated from Japan through medical treatment and the use of molluscicides in 1996. This was the first eradication of schistosomiasis on a large scale. Today, approximately 0.2 billion people are estimated to still be infected with schsitosomes in the world.