A doctor has warned of the risks of echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is caused by infection with tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus, mainly Echinococcus granulosus. At the larval stage, these worms form cysts in various organs of the human body, which causes this disease. Doctor Vladimir Neronov, Doctor of medical sciences, infectious disease doctor of JSC "Medicine" (clinic of Academician Roitberg), told "Izvestia" about the risks of Echinococcosis.

"The main cause of infection is associated with the ingestion of eggs of this parasite, which are excreted with the feces of infected dogs and can persist for a long time in soil, water or on food," Neronov explained.

According to him, infection with Echinococcus can occur in a variety of ways. The main transmission routes include fecal-oral mechanism, when a person ingests the parasite eggs from unwashed hands or through contaminated food and water. Also contact with infected animals, particularly dogs, can lead to the infectious process, as dogs are the definitive hosts of these helminths. Larval infestation is also possible when consuming undercooked meat from infected animals (e.g. sheep or cattle), in which live larvae are present.

According to the specialist, the manifestations of echinococcosis can vary depending on what stage the disease is at and where the cysts are located. In the initial stages, the disease may not show obvious symptoms. As the cysts grow, signs such as right subcostal pain, increased liver size and jaundice if the lungs are affected, chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath may occur. In addition, among the developing symptoms are nausea, decreased appetite and marked weight loss, which can be observed when cysts form in other organs.

"Echinococcosis is a relatively rare disease, but its prevalence varies from region to region. In Russia, this disease is most often registered in the Krasnodar region, the Volga region and Western Siberia", - summarized Neronov.

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