Regional Network for Research, Surveillance and Control of Asian Schistosomiasis (RNAS)

In order to strengthen the communication, cooperation and coordination among scientists and control authorities concerned with these parasitic diseases at the regional level, the establishment of the Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis (RNAS) was initiated 1998 in Wuxi, People's Republic of China. The RNAS was facilitated by an initiating collaborative research grant from WHO/TDR in 1999. The main activities and achievements of the RNAS during its first 2 years of existence are described. It is hoped that more interested parties will become involved in the network activities and other international agencies will consider providing technical and financial support to the network in the future to ensure the sustained development of the RNAS. The website of RNAS is now available in both English and Chinese versions with URL address: http://www.rnas.org. Thus far, the RNAS has held two important meetings with a third planned for 2002. The annual meeting will involve scientists and control authorities from all countries endemic for Asian schistosomiasis, providing a forum for more regional cooperation and coordination. More focus will be directed at training activities in specific fields such as immunodiagnostics, standardization of ultrasound use for monitoring infection-related morbidity, cost factor analysis, application of GIS/RS technology, environmental modification and human behaviour, agricultural efforts including livestock management for control of schistosome transmission, etc.