Transmission ecology ofEchinococcusin wild-life in Australia and Africa

Abstract

Following the introduction ofE. granulosusinto Australia with domestic animals during European settlement, the parasite quickly became established in theE. granulosus-naive native animals of the continent. The distribution ofE. granulosusin wildlife in Australia is restricted by rainfall, but nevertheless the parasite is currently widespread and highly prevalent in many areas including numerous national parks and privately owned farms. The human population of Africa is rapidly increasing resulting in ever more pressure on wild-life populations and habitat. National parks, reserves and conservation areas now provide important tracts of preserved habitat for maintaining populations of wildlife that are also important in the maintenance ofE. granulosus. In some parts of Africa, hydatid-infected humans provide a source ofE. granulosusinfection to wildlife definitive hosts. In many areas felids may also act as important definitive hosts forE. granulosuswith the parasite being maintained in a prey/predator relationship between lions and a range of intermediate hosts. Populations ofE. granulosus-infected wild-life both in Australia and Africa act as important reservoirs in perpetuating the transmission ofE. granulosusto both domestic animals and humans. In Australia,E. granulosus-infected wild-life is infiltrating urban areas and currently represents a potentially important new public health problem.