Development of harmonised schemes for the monitoring and reporting of Echinococcus in animals and foodstuffs in the European Union
Meta data
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Abstract
Harmonised schemes are proposed for the monitoring and the reporting of Echinococcus in animals and foodstuffs in the European Union. Taking into account the public health perspective, the proposal focuses on E. granulosus sensu lato and E. multilocularis, which have a significant impact on human health and both are circulating to various degrees in Europe. For E. granulosus the monitoring of intermediate hosts (sheep, goats, pigs and cattle) at slaughterhouse level through meat inspection is recommended as well as mandatory notification of any positive cases. The genotyping to subspecies level should be performed to improve the strain identification. The development of more sensitive diagnostic methods (e.g. serology), preferably to be carried out on live animals, is also recommended. The monitoring of E. multilocularis should be performed in the definitive host (fox or raccoon dog) in order to identify geographical risk areas. The use of post-mortem intestine analysis as well as the notification of any positive cases are recommended. Additional information from wildlife would be needed to determine the geographical distribution of the parasite.