Scientists issue warning over rise in terrifying parasite that destroys your organs
Scientists have found that a parasite is on the rise. If left untreated, infections have a 90% fatality rate.
A harmful and sometimes deadly parasite is on the rise, and it’s been found in the US before.
A study by Swiss scientists in Emerging Infectious Disease discovered a parasite found in foxes is on the rise worldwide. More and more cases of Echinococcus multilocularis, also called fox tapeworm, are found every year, and it can have some painful side effects. If caught by a human, it can lead to liver failure.
Fox tapeworm primarily occurs in central and northern Europe, Central Asia, northern Russia, northern Japan, north-central United States, northwestern Alaska, and northwestern Canada. It’s classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a serious public health concern.
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It is found in foxes, particularly red foxes, but other hosts could include domestic dogs, wolves or raccoon dogs, which are similar to foxes. If left untreated, infections have a 90% fatality rate.
Statistics from the University Hospital Zurich shows in 1993, there were two cases recorded at the hospital. As of 2022, however, there were 14.
There were 334 patients on record with the parasite from 1973 to 2022. Of that number, 151 had various surgeries to remove the parasite while 315 received drug medication called benzimidazole.
Over that period of time, 90 patients died, but only 13 of the deaths were caused solely by the parasite itself. The other 77 had causes other than the parasite.
The scientists found the benzimidazole therapy was able to reduce the effects of the disease.
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The Virginia Department of Wildlife says the tapeworm is most commonly found from Montana to Ohio. A human can become infected by ingesting eggs in contaminated food or water, or if they come in contact with contaminated animal feces.
It can remain asymptomatic for several years. Signs of infection may include abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, and signs of liver disease. It can sometimes be misdiagnosed as liver cancer, the CDC says.
According to the CDC, Echinococcus multilocularis affects the liver as a slow growing, destructive tumor, often with abdominal pain and biliary obstruction being the only manifestations evident in early infection.
