Echinococcus in red foxes

The zoonotic dwarf fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has never been detected in mainland Norway.

The objective of the surveillance program is to document freedom of E. multilocularis (i.e. a prevalence below 1% at a confidence level of at least 95%) in mainland Norway.

 

2024

The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis was investigate by analyzing PCR results from faecal samples of 512 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected during the licensed fox-hunting season in 2023 and 12 grey wolves (Canis lupus) that were killed in 2023. The absence of positive results for E. multilocularis, indicate that the prevalence in carnivore hosts (foxes and wolves) was below 1% at a confidence level of at least 95 %.

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