Surveillance for dog infection with Echinococcus granulosus in Tianzhu, Gansu, 2011–2016

Objective To understand the prevalence ofEchinococcus granulosusinfection in domestic and herding dogs before and after dog registration management and implementation of praziquantel deworming in Tainzhu county of Gansu province, and provide scientific basis for the further development of the prevention and control measures of echinococcosis

Methods Stool samples of domestic and herding dogs were collected from 2011 to 2016 for E. granulosu antigen detection, the infection rates before and after intervention were calculated and compared.

Results The infection rate of E. granulosu in domestic and herding dogs decreased consecutively from 7.38% in 2011 to 3.04% in 2016, a decline of 55.64%. The difference in infection rate between 2011 and 2016 was significant.

Conclusion In Tianzhu, the infection rate of E. granulosu in domestic and herding dogs decreased year by year through dog registration management and praziquantel deworming. As the main infection source of human echinococcosis, dogs infected with E. granulosu pose serious threat to human health. It is suggested that relevant departments should strengthen the management of infected dogs and further implement praziquantel deworming in dogs.