Understanding and Protecting Against Echinococcosis

In our country, the usual carrier of Echinococcosis is the infected dog, but the dog itself does not get sick from echinococcosis. It serves to transmit the disease to humans and livestock.

Usually, treatment of the disease in humans requires surgical intervention, while livestock lose their body weight and decrease productivity, thus causing significant physical and economic damage in both ways.

The Echinococcus tapeworm is a small worm about 5 to 7 mm., that has a head, neck, and body. In its mature stage, it is filled with eggs and lives in the intestines of the dog. The latter eliminates them into the external environment through defecation, thus creating the possibility of infecting livestock and humans.

At this time, a new cycle begins for the eggs of Echinococcus. They are very resistant to atmospheric conditions and there is a possibility that livestock, by feeding on grass where the eggs of Echinococcus from the dog's feces have fallen, ingest them as well. Similarly, by eating unwashed vegetables or fruits, or by petting the infected dog, in the absence of careful hygiene, humans can also ingest the parasite's eggs and create the possibility for Echinococcus Cysts to develop in their organism.

Those most at risk of being affected by this disease are people involved in livestock farming, hunting, but no one is immune from Echinococcosis. Especially children, who are eager to enjoy petting the dog, should be under special care for personal hygiene and not consume unprocessed foods or with unwashed hands.

The Echinococcus cysts resemble water-filled blisters of various sizes. They are localized in the liver, lungs, spleen, heart, bones, brain, etc. Over time, they increase their volume and during their evolution, they go through several developmental stages of the organism, disrupting the function of the organ where they are located, and severely compromising the health condition of the affected organism.

Primarily, the prevention of the disease is of special importance, but in the case of being affected by Echinococcosis, the faster the diagnosis is made, the more important it is. The usual treatment tactic for the disease is surgical intervention, but in early cases, there are also other medical or conservative alternatives.

The dog, as the main transmitter in our country for the disease of Echinococcosis, gets infected by eating organs of animals sick with Echinococcosis. For this main reason, slaughtering of animals outside veterinary control must be strictly prohibited and their infected organs should be treated according to existing legislation (burial, burning, composting), etc., and under no circumstances should they be consumed by dogs.

It is indeed pleasant to keep a dog at home, but it must be treated and checked regularly by a veterinarian. The dog should never be left uncontrolled. Otherwise, humans usually "pay for the petting of the dog, with surgical intervention".

HOW TO PREVENT ECHINOCOCCOSIS

• Do not feed dogs with live food.
• Their food should be cooked for 30 Minutes or use special food for them.
• House dogs should undergo periodic check-ups at the veterinarian.
• Illegal slaughtering without veterinary control must be strictly prohibited.
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating.
• Do not abandon our dog and do not let it freely eat whatever it finds.
• Do not consume raw and unwashed vegetables, fruits, or vegetables.

Graphic presentation: Ledja QERESHNIKU