Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia hydatigena are common parasites of ruminant intermediate hosts in the Balkan. Transmission is linked mainly to home slaughtering and the feeding of infected organs to dogs. In Kosovo, many old sheep are slaughtered particularly during “Eid al-Adha” (Feast of Sacrifice). To determine whether this tradition could affect parasite transmission, 504 dogs were investigated during three periods (baseline, pre- and post-Eid al-Adha) for excretion of taeniid eggs. After each sampling, dogs were dewormed with praziquantel. The occurrence of taeniid eggs differed significantly between the baseline (6.2%, CI 4.2-8.6), the pre - (1.2%, 0.4-2.6) and post Eid al-Adha period (4.3%, 2.6-6.3), respectively. These results indicate that the significant increase of taeniid infections in dogs, including the zoonotic species E. granulosus, shortly after Eid al-Adha is linked to traditional home slaughtering. This particular epidemiological situation provides an opportunity for implementing focused countrywide control activities.
Alishani, Mentor