Parasitological studies in the Far East. IX. An epidemiologic survey of Shikoku Island, Japan.

A parasitological survey was made on Shikoku Island, fourth largest of the Japanese archipelago, during April 1949. The island is divided into four prefectural areas (Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi and Ehime) in all of which investigations were made. In contrast to certain of our other surveys the island, rather than the prefecture, was considered the geographical survey unit. Four communities were surveyed in each of the four prefectures. In addition to the primary objective of determining the incidence and parasite density of intestinal helminths and protozoa, specific information was sought regarding the endemicity of schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, metagonimiasis, heterophyiasis, malaria and filariasis.