New article: First report of highly pathogenic Echinococcus granulosus genotype G1 in dogs in a European urban environment

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are tapeworm parasites of major medical and veterinary importance, causing cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. Both diseases are listed among the most severe parasitic diseases in humans, representing 2 of the 17 neglected diseases prioritised by the World Health Organisation. However, little is known about the role of urban animals in transmission of both parasite species.

FINDINGS:
A sensitive non-invasive genetic method was used to monitor E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infection among dog faecal samples collected from an urban area in Estonia in 2012-13. Out of 181 dog faecal samples analysed, 2.2% tested positive for E. granulosus, determined by sequencing as genotype G1. None of the samples tested positive for E. multilocularis.

CONCLUSIONS:
We report contamination of an urban environment with highly pathogenic E. granulosus G1 disseminated by dogs, and a potential risk to human health.

Full article:
Laurimaa L, Davison J, Süld K, Plumer L, Oja R, Moks E, Keis M, Hindrikson M, Kinkar L, Laurimäe T, Abner J, Remm J, Anijalg P, Saarma U. First report of highly pathogenic Echinococcus granulosus genotype G1 in dogs in a European urban environment. Parasit Vectors. 2015 Mar 26;8:182. doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0796-3.

Echinococcus multilocularis in Tartu city, Estonia

Update.
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).