The number of cases of “fox disease”, or alveolar echinococcosis, is increasing in Europe. According to a study, this zoonosis caused by a parasitic worm is certainly rare but in progress and Switzerland is one of the most affected countries.
For this summary study published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseasesan international research team determined for the first time the number of cases of this disease on a European scale, said the University of Medicine in Vienna, which participated in the study.
To do this, the authors analyzed scientific publications, local diseases of disease, the number of officially declared cases and unpublished reports of 40 countries for the period from 1997 to 2023.
According to the study, the number of cases has clearly increased in recent years. In Switzerland, it went from a handful of annual diagnostics in the 1990s to 70 on average today. There is no obligation to declare this pathology in Switzerland.
Switzerland is the second most affected country
Lithuania has recorded the greatest number of cases per capita, followed by Switzerland. A high population of foxes or increasing contact between wild animals, domestic animals and humans are cited as possible causes of the risk of infection.
However, growing awareness among doctors could also be the cause of this increase. “Despite the relatively low incidence of alveolar echinococcosis, this disease represents a growing problem in Europe,” write scientists in their study.
“There are two main reasons that explain the increase in cases in Europe and Switzerland. The first is the destruction of the natural hubs of the fox, which makes that we have many more urban foxes that go in vegetable gardens and with which we can be in contact (…) The other is the fact that we have a system of modern medicine in which we do much more imaging, in particular scanners, MRI and where, we can identify. Compatible with echinococcosis, “said Emeline Gauthiez, clinical head of infectious diseases at the CHUV Friday in the morning.
Transmission via excrement
Echinococci are parasites that live in the intestine of their hosts, generally foxes, but also dogs and cats. Eggs can enter the human body via the excrement of these animals, for example through soiled berries.
The human body does not allow the reproduction of the parasite, but it can cross the wall of the digestive tract and set up in other organs, the liver in most cases. The infection is often asymptomatic for years and does not manifest itself until later, in particular by alterations of the liver.
The treatment of echinococcosis, potentially fatal, can involve a combination of surgery, antiparasitic drugs and sometimes liver transplant, depending on the type and stage of the disease.
Sujet Radio: Sophie Iselin
Web text: Ther with ATS
