Schistosoma mansoniwas first recorded in Brazil in 1908, currently official estimates are that schistosomiasis is endemic in 1,000 municipalities and possibly ten million individuals are infected. Infection foci are rural communities and irrigated areas without sewage disposal facilities. In the past The Servicio Especial de Saúde Publica: The Servico Nacional de Malaria and later the Department of Rural Endemic Diseases (DNERu) attempted with some success to control the intermediate hosts,Biomphalarlaspp., and improve sanitation and water supplies. Following examination of past policies DNERu in 1965 authorised the organisation of pilot projects for the control of schistosomiasis in 4 states: Pernambuco, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Gaunabara. In 1970 the results of the pilot projects were evaluated and recommendations made regarding drug treatment and snail control for immediate use by the Superintendencia de Campanhas of the Federal Ministry of Health, involving the use of the drug Hycanthone, the molluscicide niclosamide (Bayluscide) and complimentary measures such as drainage and education in basic sanitation. In the future with the greater urbanisation of Brazil and increasing number of irrigation projects the incidence of the disease could increase. Improvements in sanitation, education and nutritional state will counteract this.