Abstract: Schistosomiasis, severely harmful to the human health, is a most widely distributed chronic parasitic disease epidemic in 73 countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America attacking 200 million people. As the only intermediate host of schistosome, oncomelania snails migrating and diffusing plays a fundamental role in the spread of schistosomiasis. Studying the migration and spread of oncomelania hupensis is of vital significance for the controlling of schistosomiasis. In this paper, the suitable habitats for oncomelania and influential factors, the diffusion modes, the effects of water conservancy projects on the migration and diffusion of oncomelania hupensis are reviewed and summarized based on previous researches. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and future development are discussed.

Key words: oncomelania, migration, diffusion, schistosomiasis, prevention and control