Alveolar Echinococcosis

Overview

How can I get sick?

• Eating food like fruits and vegetables that an animal with tapeworms* pooped on.  
• Touching pet dogs or cats that have the tapeworm* and not properly washing your hands after. The eggs can be spread from their poop into their fur.  
• Touching animals while hunting that may have tapeworms* such as coyotes or fox and not properly washing your hands after.  

Symptoms in humans: 

• Cysts* 
  • Can grow very slowly so they might not show up for years. 
• Pain in the top of the stomach 
• Losing weight 
• Feeling weak 

 What can I do to stay healthy? 

• Do not touch wild fox, coyotes, or any other wild animals.  
• Hunters and trappers should be extra careful and wear gloves.  
• Do not let your pets eat mice or other wild animals.  
• Make sure to wash all fruits and vegetables properly before eating them. 
• Proper hand washing is very important. Especially after handling animals and before preparing or eating food.  
  • Proper Handwashing – Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to scrub your thumbs, between your fingers and the tops and bottoms of your hands. Dry your hands with a paper towel. 

*Definitions: 

• Cysts: A sac that is filled with air, liquid, or pus (a thick yellowish-white liquid that forms in an infected area).  
• Parasitic disease: Diseases spread by parasites.  
• Tapeworm: A worm that lives in the intestines of some humans and animals.