Health authority Warning of health hazards due to fox tapeworm

Small intestinal parasite detected in two foxes in Harburg and Bergedorf
Beware of the fox tapeworm in Greater Hamburg! The Hamburg Institute for Hygiene and the Environment has found in routine investigations of two foxes from the districts Harburg and Bergedorf an infection with the small intestinal parasite Echinococcus multilocularis. The parasite can be transmitted to humans and cause severe organ damage.

Even pets can transmit the fox tapeworm to humans
The health authority explicitly said that it did not want to panic, but an infection with the fox tapeworm could be very dangerous for humans. In the wild animal study, 61 foxes were tested, including the two positive tested animals. 39 animals are from the district Bergedorf, the rest from the districts Mitte, Harburg and Wandsbek.

With the help of barbs and suckers on his head, the tapeworm gets stuck in the gut. Image: Juan Gärtner / fotolia.com

The fox tapeworm is only a few millimeters long and is mainly transmitted from foxes to rodents and vice versa. But also dogs and cats can be among the host animals of the small intestine parasite. While a transmission to humans is rare, it can have serious health consequences.

"Man can infect himself with the parasite, for example by eating near-growing forest and crops that are contaminated with tapeworm eggs over foxes. An infection is also possible through contact with tapeworm eggs, which adhere to the coat of infected animals, "informs the Institute for Hygiene and the Environment. Berries, mushrooms and growing fruits and plants near the ground should only be eaten cooked, otherwise the tapeworm eggs will not be killed. Freezing is not enough.

Thorough hand washing can protect you from fox tapeworm
"Cats and dogs should be dewormed regularly. Especially dogs that move freely in nature or can come into contact with smaller rodents such as mice and rats or directly with foxes should be examined for possible infections and dewormed at short intervals, "advises the Department of Health and Consumer Protection. Dogs should also be thoroughly washed if there is a possibility that they have come into contact with foxskin. "The hygiene in dealing with pets should be paid special attention. This includes, for example, thorough hand washing after contact with cats and dogs. "Anyone who has worked in forests, fields or gardens can also prevent infection by thoroughly cleaning their hands.

An infection with the fox tapeworm initially often goes undetected. It manifests itself among other things by upper abdominal pain, weight loss, ongoing fatigue and fatigue. According to the health authority, the so-called alveolar echinococcosis is difficult to treat and can lead to dangerous organ damage, which can usually affect the liver, but also the peritoneum, lungs and brain. More symptoms and signs of a tapeworm infection can be found here. (Ag)