Research Article
Fana Shiferaw, Wondimagegne
Abstract
Echinococcosis/hydatid disease is one of the most important of the helminth zoonoses and remains a significantproblem worldwide. Based on recent report; five species of the genus Echinococcus are regarded as taxonomically valid. These are Echinococcosis granulosus, Echinococcosis multilocularis, Echinococcosis oligarthrus, Echinococcosis vogeliand Echinococcosis shiquicus . Among this the most widespread is Echinococcosis granulosus and Echinococcosis multilocularis. Echinococcosis granulosus is zoonotic parasite which occurs in Ethiopia and throughout the world. Hydatidosis prevail in all age group, there are no age and sex discrimination. Hydatidosis causes considerable economic loss due to condemnation of edible organs, decreased meat and milk Productions, reduced hide and fleece value and decrease in fecundity. The definitive host of the parasite, Echinococcosis granulosus is dogs which harbor the adult parasite and excrete the parasite eggs along with their feces, whilelivestock and human are the intermediate hosts. Humans can accidentally become intermediate hosts by ingesting the eggs of the tapeworm. While most cysts develop in the liver and lungs, other organs or tissues may become affected. The diagnosis in human conducted with X-rays or ultrasound machine. Whereas, in the other intermediate animal diagnosis of cyst will be conducted only during meat inspection in the abattoir and postmortem examination. In conclusion, basic hygiene such as washing hands with soap after gardening or touching the dog and washing vegetables that may have been contaminated by dog faeces, deworming of dogs with antihelmentic in every six months are important in prevention of this disease.