WHO/OIE Manual on echinococcosis in humans and animals

Overview

The second edition of the WHO Guidelines for Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis, published in 1984, was focused on diagnostic methods and control measures available to combat this disease in humans and animals. These guidelines were very well received throughout the world and represented a valuable source of information for medical and Veterinary Services of many countries. Since then the understanding of the epidemiology of echinococcosis has been greatly improved, new diagnostic techniques for both humans and animals have been developed, progress has been made in the treatment of human echinococcosis, and new prevention strategies have emerged with the development of a vaccine against Echinococcus granulosus in intermediate hosts.

The World Health Organization in close collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centres and specialists of the WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis and the International Association of Hydatidology felt necessary to update and revise the existing document by preparing a Manual on echinococcosis in humans and animals. Over fifty international experts contributed to the development of this document.

This manual covers all important aspects of echinococcosis, including parasite biology and life-cycles, geographic distribution and prevalence, epidemiology, clinical presentation in humans and animals, diagnosis and treatment, as well as control and prevention using newly developed tools and methods. It also provides descriptions of important techniques and a large number of bibliographical references. It should help personnel from the medical and veterinary sectors involved in surveillance, prevention and control of echinococcosis to develop effective programmes based on current knowledge and modern techniques.