Urban coyotes a factor in rise of serious parasitic disease in western Canada: U of A
Alberta is now a hot spot for a rare and potentially fatal disease known as alveolar echinococcosis (AE) -- a parasitic infection transmitted from canines.
According to a University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry report, the disease which orignated from Europe has become established in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. There have been a total of 17 cases found in Alberta.
The parasite takes the form of a small tapeworm in canines such as coyotes, foxes and pet dogs, according to University of Alberta infectious diseases expert Stan Houston. The tapeworm is harmless to canines but if a rodent consumes the parasitic feces, this can be fatal for the rodent. When the canine eats the rodent, the tapeworm can find itself back inside the canine, said Houston.
Humans can become infected with the disease if the parasitic egg is accidently consumed. If we consume lettuce or strawberries grown where a coyote has passed through, this can lead to infection, according to a U of A report.
Humans are also at risk of contracting the disease by petting a dog with AE.
“A human could become infected by petting a dog that has microscopic traces of canine feces in its hair and then touching food or their mouth, accidentally ingesting the parasite’s eggs,” said Houston.
AE has spread quickly in Alberta due to two main factors: an increase of human contact with coyotes and an increase in people with diseases that weaken the immune system.
“In coyotes in Calgary and in Edmonton, more than half have been found to be carrying this parasite. So the new strain seems to not only be more virulent when it affects humans, but it seems to be super-effective in wild hosts,” said Houston.
• They’re taking naps in the trees': Coyotes getting cozy in Lansdowne neighbourhood
Symptoms of AE can be difficult to spot or take several years to appear. Almost half of Alberta cases were found accidently when testing for a different illness. Symptoms of AE include:
• Unspecified pain
• Jaundice
• Weakness
• Weight loss
The symptoms of AE are similar to conditions of liver cancer, said an expert. If the disease is left untreated, it could kill its host in 10 to 15 years.
To prevent contracting the disease, experts recommend good hygiene and taking simple precautions such as washing your hands after you pet your dog and washing produce that comes from the ground.
“We should be paying attention, but it’s still a very rare disease,” said Houston. “People should keep that in perspective, adopt health behaviours and not obsess about this.”
More on the study can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.