Hydatid control in Australia: where it began, what we have achieved and where to from here

Date

2005

Authors

Jenkins, David

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus was imported into Australia with domestic livestock about 200 years ago. It spread rapidly through domestic animals and quickly became a public health problem in the new colony. Control was hampered by ignorance of the transmission pattern. The association between metacestodes and tapeworms was not elucidated until 63 years after the arrival of the First Fleet. Australian wildlife were highly susceptible to infection with E. granulosus and wildlife/domestic animal interaction facilated rapid infiltration of wildlife by E. granulosus. The wildlife reservoir has hampered hydatid control campaigns on mainland Australia but successful eradication has been achieved in the island state of Tasmania where there was no wildlife reservoir. The application of a new recombinant vaccine for sheep in control campaigns and the use of praziquantel baits for controlling infection in dingoes around bush campsites and picnic areas is discussed.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: arecoline; bithionol; bundamide; echinococcus granulosus vaccine; eg 95; fospirate; mebendazole; nitroscanate; praziquantel; recombinant vaccine; unclassified drug; vaccine; bait; disease control; vaccination; antibody blood level; antigen detection; Aust Australia; Control; Diagnosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Sheep hydatid vaccine

Citation

Source

International Journal for Parasitology

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31