Hydatid disease in Australia.
Human hydatidosis is caused by infection with the cystic stage of the hydatid tapeworm of dogs, Echinococcus granulosus. Although the disease is entirely preventable, the prevalence of hydatidosis in Australia has not decreased since the first surveys were taken in the early part of this century. Principal reasons for this appear to be a general lack of knowledge of the life history, epidemiology and control methods for E. granulosus, coupled with ineffective community based eradication campaigns. The purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss the important facts relevant to control and eventual eradication of hydatid disease.
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D004285:Dogs; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D012756:Sheep / Q000469:parasitology