RESUMO
Echinococcus multilocularis is a parasite that can cause alveolar echinococcosis disease. After the first positive finding of E. multilocularis in Sweden in 2011, a consulting group with representatives from relevant authorities was summoned. In this group, all relevant information was shared, strategies for information dissemination and any actions to be taken due to the finding of E. multilocularis were discussed and decided. The present paper describes the actions taken during 2011 and the results thereof, including surveillance in animals, risk assessment for humans to become infected and recommendations given to the public. Further discussion about whether the parasite was introduced, and if so, how, as well as possible future development of the infection in animals and humans in Sweden and future actions are included.
Assuntos
Equinococose/veterinária , Echinococcus multilocularis/isolamento & purificação , Raposas/parasitologia , Animais , Equinococose/diagnóstico , Equinococose/epidemiologia , Equinococose/transmissão , Helmintíase Animal/epidemiologia , Humanos , Prevalência , Medição de Risco , Vigilância de Evento Sentinela/veterinária , Suécia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Surveillance for the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis, has been carried out in Sweden since 2000, with about 300 red foxes analysed annually. We report the first finding of E. multilocularis in Sweden, in a fox shot in December 2010 in the south-west of the country. A second infected fox shot in the same location was detected in March 2011. This paper describes the national monitoring programme and the ongoing work to estimate the prevalence and spread of the infection.