One life form that scientists would rather not see blossom as a result of the project is the schistosome parasite. Oncomelania snails, riddled with the blood flukes that cause schistosomiasis, are endemic in the part of Jiangsu Province where the eastern route originates. Zhou Xiaonong of the Institute of Parasitic Disease in Shanghai has been lobbying authorities to take steps to control schistosomiasis—such as lining riverbanks with cement and setting up more observation stations for the parasite—before the eastern route begins moving water.