Ecological epidemiology: the role of landscape structure in the transmission risk of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (Leukart 1863) (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea : Taeniidae)

Graham, AJ; Danson, FM; Craig, PS

Abstract

The larval form of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis causes a fatal liver infection in humans and has high prevalence in western China. The tapeworm lifecycle involves small mammal populations and canids, such as foxes and dogs. Human contact with infected canids may lead to the transmission of the worm to humans, causing the disease human alveolar echinococcosis. This paper introduces the tapeworm and reviews the current understanding of its transmission ecology in relation to each component of its lifecycle. Recent research indicates that landscape plays an important role in creating the necessary habitat conditions for natural transmission. Defining the landscape involves the use of satellite imagery, land cover classification and spatial analysis. The link between disease, remote sensing and landscape ecology is an expanding research area and potentially an important one in relation to Echinococcus multilocularis and alveolar echinococcosis.

Citation

Graham, A., Danson, F., & Craig, P. (2005). Ecological epidemiology: the role of landscape structure in the transmission risk of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (Leukart 1863) (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea : Taeniidae). Progress in Physical Geography, 29(1), 77-91. https://doi.org/10.1191/0309133305pp435ra

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2005
• Deposit Date: Nov 23, 2009
• Journal: Progress in Physical Geography
• Print ISSN: 0309-1333
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 77-91
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/0309133305pp435ra
• Keywords: Echinococcus multilocularis • landscape ecology • spatial analysis
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/0309133305pp435ra