Deadly parasite linked to cancer-like tumors found in the West

Key Points:

• A deadly tapeworm parasite, Echinococcus multilocularis, known to cause cancer-like tumors, has been detected for the first time along the U.S. West Coast, specifically in the Puget Sound region, where it was found in 37% of surveyed coyotes.
• The parasite primarily infects wild canines like coyotes and foxes but can also infect pets and humans, causing severe illness through the formation of cysts in the liver and other organs, which can be fatal if untreated.
• Although the risk of transmission to humans and pets remains low, the parasite’s eggs are shed in feces, contaminating the environment and infecting rodents, which continue the parasite’s life cycle when preyed upon by wild canines.
• Dogs can carry and spread the parasite without symptoms but are still at risk of developing cysts; veterinarians recommend routine preventive treatments to reduce infection risk.
• Researchers emphasize the need for public awareness about the parasite’s presence in local wildlife and the potential health risks it poses to humans and domestic animals.