THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FOCI OF ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN NORTHERN ISRAEL - PREVALENCE IN DOMESTIC-ANIMALS

In a survey carried out in 1991-1992 in the town of Yirka in Northern Israel, 49 dogs were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection an d abattoir data, based on organs condemned for the presence of parasit es, was collected. The presence of E. granulosus by arecoline test was demonstrated in 7 (14.2%) of the dogs examined, but no parasites were found in the intestines of five stray dogs shot in the area. A survey of sheep slaughtered in the local abattoir during a one-month period revealed Echinococcus cysts in 10% of the 255 animals examined. No Ech inococcus parasites were detected in 21 dogs examined 3 months after t he initiation of praziquantel treatment. Echinococcosis seems to be a very serious public health problem in Israel and a control programme n eeds to be given a high