III. Surveys of Animal Reservoir Hosts
Studies on natural infections of S. mekongi in mammals in Southern Laos have indicated that only dog is a good reservoir host, and a number of viable eggs are discharged in the feces. No reliable data on the prevalence in mammals in Cambodia have been available.
Fecal samples were collected from 45 dogs, 44 cattles, 16 buffaloes, 3 pigs and 2 horses in various villages between Sambo and Krakor. The one gram sample was placed in a calibrated vial containing formalin-detergent solution. The samples are to be examined in our laboratory. Five rats captured in Runsoey Char and Krakor were necropsied and the mesenteric and portal veins as well as the liver were examined for any sign of schistosome infection. None was found infected.
Acknowledgememts
We are grateful to the Honourable Under Secretary of State for Health, Dr. Mam Bunheng, for permission to condut these surveys. We wish to record our deep appreciation of the encouragement received from Deputy Governor Mr. Pao Ham Phan, Kratie and Dr. Cheam Saem, Director, Kratie Provincial Health Office. Special gratitude is expressed to Dr. D. Socheat, Vice Director, National Malaria Centre, and Dr. C. Seng Ly , Kratie Provincial Health Office, for joining us during the present survey. We are grateful to the technical staff of Kratie Health Office, who were very kind and helpful. We also express appreciation to teachers and children of the primary schools in Kanh Chor and Talous for their excellent cooperation.
With best regards,
Sincerely yours,
Hajime Matsuda, DVM, Ph. D.
Professor in Parasitology
Dokkyo University School of Medicine
Tochigi, Japan
Kazuo Yasuraoka, SC.D.
Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for
Chemical Control of Amphibious Snail Hosts of S. japonicum, University of Tsukuba
Ibaraki, Japan
