Evidence-based decision-making support for determining the risk of schistosomiasis infection during large events in China - Application of risk assessment

Sep 30, 2026

Develop a rapid, evidence-based decision-making support system for schistosomiasis prevention and control during large-scale public events in endemic areas of China. Construct an indicator framework using literature review and the Delphi method, then determine risk levels via Delphi consensus and a risk-matrix approach. Implement targeted control measures based on assessed risk, and verify effectiveness through post-event surveillance and 1–3 year monitoring of incident reports and key indicators. Apply the system to three Wuhan events to support sustained transmission prevention.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Method

Result

Conclusion

Author summary

Introduction

OPEN ACCESS Citation: Zuo Y, Chen G, Mei X, Xie X, Song Y, Wang S, et al. (2026) Evidence-based decisionmaking support for determining the risk of schistosomiasis infection during large events in China: Application of risk assessment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 20(1): e0013898. [https://doi](https://doi). org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013898 Editor: Mostafa Zamanian, University of Wisconsin-Madison, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Received: February 5, 2025 Accepted: December 27, 2025 Published: January 9, 2026 Copyright: © 2026 Zuo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data availability statement: All data are in the manuscript and/or supporting information files. Funding: The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. RESEARCH ARTICLE Evidence-based decision-making support for determining the risk of schistosomiasis infection during large events in China: Application of risk assessment Yuting Zuo1,2‡, Gong Chen3‡, Xin Mei1‡, Xiao Xie4, Yudan Song2, Shuai Wang1, Huatang Luo1* 1 Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China, 2 Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China, 3 Medical Department, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, 4 Zhuzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhuzhou, China ‡ Co-first author. * [lht@whcdc.org](lht@whcdc.org) Abstract Background To investigate the application of risk assessment in decision-making support for disease prevention and control during large-scale events involving schistosomiasis, a rapid system and process for assessing the risk of schistosomiasis transmission were developed. Method A risk assessment indicator framework was developed through literature reviews and the Delphi method. Risk level determination was assessed using the Delphi method and a risk matrix method. Control measures were implemented based on the risk levels determination. Effectiveness evaluation was verified by monitoring schistosomiasisrelated public health incidents and tracking key indicators—including oncomelania snail infection prevalence, snail density, human and livestock infection rates, wild feces detection, and sentinel mouse infection—over 1–3 years post-event, supplemented by repeated risk assessments. Result The decision-making support system for schistosomiasis transmission prevention and control during large-scale events comprises a database of recent schistosomiasis cases, onsite schistosomiasis transmission risk monitoring, a case database of outbreaks, a database of assessment experts, a database of the distribution of oncomelania snail, a library of professional strategies, and a preplan. This system PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013898](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013898) January 9, 2026 1 / 18 Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. encompasses four processes, namely, identification of high-risk factors, risk assessment to determine areas with high, medium and low risk levels, implementation of targeted risk management and control measures, and evaluation of long-term effects. Conclusion The risk assessment system was successfully applied to three large-scale events in Wuhan, effectively supporting evidence-based decision-making support and preventing schistosomiasis transmission. Post-event surveillance and reassessment of indicators verified the sustained effectiveness of the interventions. This closedloop approach demonstrates that risk assessment is a vital tool for public health decision-making during large events in endemic areas. Author summary Organizing large public events like festivals, construction projects, or internationa

FAQs

What system was developed in the study?

A decision-making support system for schistosomiasis transmission prevention and control during large-scale events, integrating risk identification, risk assessment, risk management strategies, and effectiveness evaluation.

How were risk levels determined?

Risk indicators were established using literature review and the Delphi method, and risk levels were determined using Delphi consensus together with a risk matrix.

How was the effectiveness of interventions evaluated?

Effectiveness was verified by monitoring schistosomiasis-related public health incidents and tracking key indicators over 1–3 years after events, with repeated risk assessments.

Sep 30, 2026

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