Wystepowanie tasiemca Echinococcus multilocularis u lisow rudych na terenie centralnej Polski

The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in the Mazowieckie Voivodship. In the period of 2004-2006 the intestines of 379 red foxes were examined by intestinal scraping technique (IST) for the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis. From 2 -29 foxes were examined in each of the 36 counties amongst the 38 included in the voivodeship. 52 foxes were found to be infected (13.5%). The highest prevalence (11.8%-26.7%) was found in eight of the 36 counties. No differences in prevalence between sexes were observed. 66.7% of foxes were infected with low (1-100 tapeworms) and 27.5% with medium (101-1000) intensity. The prevalence found was much higher compared to that of earlier studies. The present results indicate the potential risk for human infection in central Poland, previously considered as being of very low endemic for E. multilocularis. Educational programs are vital in order to avert the potential threat of alveolar echinococcosis, particularly amongst risk groups (foresters, hunters, farmers) in hazardous areas