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Risk assessment of importation of dogs infected with Echinococcus multilocularis into the UK
Author(s) -
Torgerson P. R.,
Craig P. S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.165.13.366
Subject(s) - echinococcus multilocularis , praziquantel , echinococcus , veterinary medicine , echinococcosis , risk assessment , infection risk , environmental health , medicine , geography , helminths , surgery , immunology , schistosomiasis , emergency medicine , computer science , computer security
A risk assessment was undertaken to assess the likelihood of importation of dogs infected with Echinococcus multilocularis should the requirement for treatment with praziquantel be relaxed under the Pet Travel Scheme. The analysis suggested that for every 10,000 dogs going on a short trip to Germany, the probability of at least one returning to the UK infected is approximately 98 per cent. If the dogs had been longer‐term residents, this probability rises to over 99 per cent. This indicates that if praziquantel treatment of dogs on importation into the UK is abandoned, then it is almost inevitable that E multilocularis will be introduced.