Publications released in connection with this article:
- Plumer L, Davison J, Saarma U (2014) Rapid Urbanization of Red Foxes in Estonia: Distribution, Behaviour, Attacks on Domestic Animals, and Health-Risks Related to Zoonotic Diseases. PLoS ONE 9(12): e115124. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0115124
- Laurimaa L, Davison J, Plumer L, Süld K, Oja R, Moks E, et al. Noninvasive detection of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm in urban area, Estonia [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2015 Jan [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2101.140136
In an interview with Urmas Saarma (University of Tartu) in the Estonian newspaper Õhtuleht September 4th 2014 the sad reality about the dangerous parasite Echinococcus multilocularis in Estonia was discussed.
The dangerous parasite can be found in one out of three foxes in Estonia. The eggs of the parasite that can infect humans, has been found in 7% of the fox faeces collected within the second largest city of Estonia, Tartu.
Article:
http://www.ohtuleht.ee/593010/koos-rebastega-hiilib-linnadesse-kole-parasiit
In the Estonian section it is possible to read about the parasite in an article by Epp Moks from University of Tartu
Dr. Süld and colleagues recently published an article on zoonotic diseases, including E. multilocularis, in raccoon dogs.
Süld K, Valdmann H, Laurimaa L, Soe E, Davison J, Saarma U. An Invasive Vector of Zoonotic Disease Sustained by Anthropogenic Resources: The Raccoon Dog in Northern Europe. PLoS One. 2014 May 22;9(5):e96358. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096358. eCollection 2014.
Official statistics on detected cases of echinococcosis in Estonia (Echinococcus multilocularis or Echinococcus granulosus - not specified) can be found in at the Estonian Health Boards homepage ("Nakkushaigused Eestis 2011-2013") or at the official reports from the European Centre of Disease Control and Prevention report of Annual epidemiological report "Reporting on 2011 surveillance data and 2012 epidemic intelligence data" (page 80).
