Echinococcosis primary prevention
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Echinococcosis Microchapters |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[3]
Overview
Primary Prevention
There are several strategies to prevent echinococcosis, most of which involve disruption of the parasite's life cycle. For instance, feeding raw offal to work dogs is a key point of infection in a farm environment and is strongly discouraged. Also, basic hygiene practices such as thoroughly cooking food and vigorous hand washing before meals can prevent the eggs entering the human digestive tract.
Regular "worming" of farm dogs with the drug praziquantel also helps kill the tapeworm. By employing such simple practices, hydatids have been virtually eliminated in New Zealand, where it was once very common. Effective vaccines, based on recombinant DNA technology, are being developed in Australia for sheep.