Climate and environmental factors influencing Echinococcus multilocularis occurrence in the Slovak Republic

During the period of 2000-2004, 3,096 red foxes from the whole territory of the Slovak Republic were sampled and examined parasitologically for infections with Echinococcus multilocularis, causative agent of serious alveolar echinococcosis in humans. Relations between prevalence of the parasite in individual regions of Slovakia and some environmental factors were weighted. During the study period, great differences of prevalence and infection intensity were found on a regional level and significant between-year fluctuation of both parameters was observed. High-endemic foci with an estimated prevalence of more than 30% were detected in the northern and central part of the country. Climatic conditions, including low mean annual air temperature, high mean annual rainfall and the high humidity of the soil, showed to be important for E. multilocularis distribution. Significant correlation was calculated between prevalence of the tapeworm, mean annual precipitation values, and population density of small mammals.