Cystic echinococcosis in the Falkland Islands

Abstract

From 1991 to 1993, an investigation into the epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis (CE) was carried out in the Falkland Islands to evaluate the progress of the hydatid eradication campaign. The prevalence of CE in sheep was assessed using abattoir and farm slaughter data, and the exposure of dogs to the parasite was estimated using immunological techniques. A total of 59 466 sheep was examined at slaughter for E. granulosus and T. hydatigena cysts and the entire dog population of the Falkland Islands ( n = 908) was examined by ELISA for the presence of specific serum antibodies to E. granulosus (IgG, IgA and IgE). In addition, a subsample of dogs ( n = 464) was tested for the presence of E. granulosus antigens in faeces (copro-antigens). The prevalence of CE in sheep increased significantly during the period of the study from 0.11% in 1991 to 0.47% in 1993. Nineteen (2.1%) of 908 dog sera tested were seropositive, and eight dogs (1.7%) of 464 tested were positive in the copro-antigen assay. The combined use of abattoir surveillance, specific antibody and copro-antigen assay suggested that there were several locations in the Falkland Islands where the life cycle of E. granulosus may still perpetuate. Specific deficiencies in the eradication effort in those locations could be identified through follow-up questionnaires.