UW Researchers Find Fox Tapeworm in 37% of Puget Sound Coyotes
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 15
UW Researchers Find Fox Tapeworm in 37% of Puget Sound Coyotes
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 15
Summary
37 of 100 coyotes sampled near Washington's Puget Sound carried Echinococcus multilocularis, marking the first detection of the deadly fox tapeworm in West Coast wildlife.
Genetic testing identified a newer, more infectious European variant, supporting concerns that the parasite has expanded westward after spreading across the Midwest, the U.S. and Canada over the past 15 years.
Human risk remains low, researchers said, because infections are rare and usually occur after people accidentally ingest eggs from contaminated soil, food or infected pets.
Alveolar echinococcosis can go unnoticed for years before causing tumor-like liver damage, liver failure or death, making handwashing and preventing dogs from eating rodents key precautions.