[Current spread and epidemiology of Echinococcus multilocularis]

Recently, a wealth of new data was collected on the distribution and ecology of E. multilocularis. The parasite is now known to occur at surpisingly high prevalence rates in e.g. Belgium and northwestern Germany, new records exist for the Netherlands, and the parasite was found to be widespread in Poland and the Czech Republic. In addition, foxes in continental Europe have adapted their behaviour and are now common in many towns and cities where they are also known to carry the parasite. New data exist on endemicity regions in western Asia. In addition to new informations on the parasite's range, a summary is given of the current knowledge on prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis in man.