New epidemiological data reveals that more than one-third of wild coyotes surveyed in the Puget Sound region carry Echinococcus multilocularis, a parasitic tapeworm previously unknown to Pacific Northwest wildlife populations. The University of Washington study analyzed 187 coyotes and found an infection prevalence of 37%, substantially higher than infection rates in the Northern Plains at 18%, yet comparable to the Great Lakes region at 42% and Alaska at 58%.
This first-ever detection on the West Coast indicates rapid parasite expansion across North American wildlife. E. multilocularis poses serious zoonotic transmission risks, causing alveolar echinococcosis in humans with a 95% mortality rate if untreated. The disease’s asymptomatic period of 10-15 years complicates early detection and intervention. These findings underscore the importance of enhanced wildlife surveillance and public awareness regarding potential exposure risks in affected communities.
Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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