Recent Update on Echinococcosis and Water

Abstract

Echinococcosis in humans occurs as a result of infection by the larval stages of taenid cestodes of genus Echinococcus. In this chapter, we discuss the aspects of life cycle, etiology, distribution, transmission, control, and prevention of echinococcosis. The four species of public interest include Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus vogeli, and Echinococcus oligarthus. Two new species have recently been identified: Echinococcus shiquicus and Echinococcus felidis. There is emergence or re-emergence of human cystic echinococcosis in parts of China, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Israel. Increasing trends in the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis have been observed in north India, and there are numerous reports and surveys that reveal the occurrence of human hydatidosis in most states. The mainstay of diagnosis remains serology and radiological methods. In spite of efforts to control of Echinococcosis, this zoonosis continues to be a major public health problem in several countries.