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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.