Parasites are pretty gross in general – both the organisms themselves, and the concept of them living in or on you. Some parasites are of limited concern to people and pets, but others not so much… If I made a list of “parasites I really don’t want,” Echinococcus multilocularis (EM) would be high on the
International Canine Infectious Disease Map
A few times a week, I get questions like this from veterinarians:
- I have a canine patient from [name your country] and it’s sick. What diseases should I be aware of?
- I have healthy canine patient that was just imported from [name your country]. What diseases should I be aware of?
Or I get
An Unusual Case of Echinococcus multilocularis in Manitoba
Last spring, we posted about a report of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in a child in Quebec from 2018. This very serious parasitic infection is caused by the intermediate stage of the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis (EM), which despite its common name is often also found in coyotes (including right here in southern Ontario
Echinococcus multilocularis back in the news
Nothing has changed about Echinococcus multilocularis (the fox tapeworm) in the past couple of months, but my phone is ringing off the hook following another round of media reports about this parasite. Here’s a recap of the issues:
- Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm normally found in the intestinal tract of wild canids (e.g.
Echinococcus multilocularis in a child: Quebec
Echinococcus multilocularis (EM) is an important zoonotic tapeworm. The situation with this parasite in Canada (and probably the US) is unclear and evolving. It’s increasingly clear that EM is present in a high percentage of wild canids (e.g. coyotes, foxes) in some regions. What this means for human health isn’t clear yet.
This tiny tapeworm
New infographics: Echinococcus multilocularis, feline upper respiratory tract infection
The title says it all… see below for the latest and greatest infographics from the Ontario Animal Health Network, including an update to the very popular E. multilocularis infographic and a new one on treatment of feline upper respiratory tract infection.
To download the infographics in pdf format, visit oahn.ca at these links:
Echinococcus multilocularis: Ontario, Canada
Echinococcus multilocularis, a small tapeworm with a big name, is causing big concerns in Ontario, an area that was until recently considered free of this parasite. This tapeworm is normally found in the intestinal tract of wild canids (e.g. coyotes, foxes) and can also infect dogs. That itself isn’t a problem, since the intestinal
Echinococcus multilocularis: Alberta, Canada
Several news articles have been written lately about the recently-described cases of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in four people in Alberta. The cases of alveolar echinococcosis have occurred over the past 4 years, and raise significant concerns.
Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm but it causes big problems.
Why?
- It’s a potentially nasty parasitic disease
More Ontario Echinococcus multilocularis cases
This tiny parasite continues to cause a stir around Ontario. While infections are (apparently) still rare, it’s becoming clear that this nasty worm has somehow stealthily established itself in the province. That presumably means it’s either also in neighbouring provinces and states, or heading there.
Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm that can cause severe
Canine importation editorial
Click below for an editorial that appeared in the July 2015 edition of Clinician’s Brief.
Clinician’s Brief Canine Importation Editorial
It asks some very to-the-point questions about why dogs continue to be imported in massive numbers into some regions (including Ontario), despite the animal and public health risks. The issue is slowly gaining recognition,