Saturday 22nd April 2017

The risks of Echinococcus granulosus

The risks of Echinococcus granulosus spreading across the UK via abattoirs and possibly entering dog populations outside of its Welsh heartlands were recently emphasised at the VHPA conference http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/180/15/372. Deworming of dogs every 4-6 weeks in known endemic areas remains vital to reduce zoonotic risk, but this should also be considered in dogs living outside these areas that have access to raw offal, ruminant carcasses or unprocessed raw diets. Dogs with these lifestyle risks should be treated at least 4 times a year, and possibly monthly depending on the level of risk. Monthly deworming in high risk dogs, combined with responsible disposal of dog faeces, keeping dogs on a lead around livestock and where possible, preventing dogs from eating unprocessed raw meat and offal will reduce zoonotic risk, while also helping to reduce the huge economic losses sustained by the sheep farming industry each year through carcass and offal condemnation.

ESCCAP UK & Ireland News Item