Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe--state of the art

New information has become available on the epidemiological situation of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe. Additional endemic areas have been identified, and, in some areas, prevalences in foxes have drastically increased. In addition, some neozootic mammals may by now be involved in the lifecycle. The parasite is now widespread in urban and suburban areas in central Europe. The number of human cases of alveolar echinococcosis is small, but still underreported, and is likely to increase in the near future. Trials to counteract the spread of this parasite have been performed by application of anthelmintics to foxes via baits, and gave encouraging results on different spatial scales.