We identified Echinococcus multilocularis for the first time in brown lemmings (Lemmus trimucronatus) from Barrow, Alaska, USA. Of 467 brown lemmings trapped between 1995 and 2000, two males and two females (0.9%; 95% confidence interval = 0.9±0.9%) were found to be infected with metacestodes of E. multilocularis. No metacestodes were found in 17 collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx rubricatus) also trapped at Barrow. In humans, E. multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis, which is potentially fatal. Knowledge of the distribution of this parasite is important to protect the public health.
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1 January 2005
New Distribution Records of Echinococcus multilocularis in the Brown Lemming from Barrow, Alaska, USA
Denver W. Holt,
Cyd Hanns,
Todd O'Hara,
Kathy Burek,
Rita Frantz
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 41 • No. 1
January 2005
Vol. 41 • No. 1
January 2005
Alaska
alveolar echinococcosis
brown lemming
Echinococcus multilocularis