Alert Over Return of Dog Parasite That Can Kill Humans
Posted on: Wednesday, 8 March 2006, 12:00 CST
By MADELEINE BRINDLEY Western Mail
A parasitic disease carried by dogs and which can kill humans could be returning to Wales. Almost 18 months ago experts were convinced that hydatid disease was on the verge of being wiped out. But Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons will today warn that the disease has re-emerged in dogs and could cause illness in humans unless urgent action is taken now.
The disease does not cause any symptoms in dogs, but when passed to humans can cause cysts in the body's major organs, which require specialist surgery.
Dr Gibbons, in a report to the National Assembly's Health and Social Services Committee today, said an increasing number of dogs in rural Wales, particularly Powys, may be carrying the parasite.
He said, 'Failure to respond to this increase in dog carriage will lead to a return of hydatid disease to Wales.'
Hydatid disease is spread by farm dogs that have scavenged on sheep carcasses which contain hydatic cysts. A worm, about 9mm long, grows inside the infected dog. But it is the eggs, which can be picked up from a dog's coat that causes the human version.
Instead of growing into a worm, as in dogs, the eggs grow into cysts inside the human body, attaching themselves to the lungs, brain, liver and other major organs. People can have the disease to 20-40 years without knowing that the cysts are growing inside them.
They can measure from three quarters of an inch to six inches in diameter, although some biopsies have revealed cysts the size of a football. Although they can be removed by surgery, they can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, health problems.
If they burst, in addition to spreading more eggs throughout the body, there is a risk of the patient going into anaphylactic shock. The disease is especially dangerous to children.
A WAG spokeswoman said, 'Regular dog worming as the most effective way to prevent the spread of hydatid disease.'
Source: Western Mail
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