To Commission - What Is Hydatid Disease?

[bearpaw]

Washington Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
commission@dfw.wa.gov

Dear Commission Members,
I have enclosed an editorial I recently posted on http://washingtonwolf.info/diseases.html. I have gathered information concerning Hydatid Disease which is caused by a small tapeworm that has been found in nearly 2/3 of the wolf population in Idaho and Montana. Contrary to what I have heard locally, it appears this disease is more widespread than commonly known about here in Washington. I ask that you read the material on the links provided before you finalize the Wolf Plan for Washington. I think the people of Washington deserve your careful consideration of the potential impact of this parasite which is known to infect wolves in Idaho and Montana which is where wolves that are colonizing Washington are originating. For your convenience I have also attached a pdf of the article. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Dale Denney

What Is Hydatid Disease (Echinococcosis)

Editorial by Dale Denney, February 15, 2010

Echinococcosis, also known as Hydatid Disease, is a potentially fatal parasitic disease caused by tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus - including Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, both of which are being found in North America in increasing regularity and increasing geographical areas.

Dr. Val Geist and Dr. Will Graves have written about the dangers of wolves and Hydatid Disease but their writings have been downplayed by some experts and agencies. After reading numerous writings concerning Hydatid Disease I felt compelled to provide these same materials to the general public for consideration of what actions might be taken to help prevent the spread of Hydatid Disease into Washington or any other states.

Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis can infect wild animals, pets, livestock, and humans. The life cycle for these tapeworms requires a "definitive host" such as.......................more

See links and read the rest of the editorial here:   http://washingtonwolf.info/diseases.html.  

[ICEMAN]

Great stratagy Dale.

[wolfbait]

Good Job Dale! At the beginning of the wolf introduction Fish and Wildlife Service figures indicate that domestic livestock are rarely killed by wolves. We have seen how that has worked out, now they are down playing the diseases that these wolves spread, with Washington already having a large population of wolves these diseases should concern everyone who spends time in the woods. I would encourage others to write to the game commission and express your concerns.

Hi Dale--this is Spurs. Thank you for your involvement. Everyone here is very concerned, and especially for their children--camping, etc. See ya!

[bearpaw]

I did receive a reply back from the commssion secretary. She said the comment period was over but that she was ditributing the letter to the commission members. I just hope they read some of the material that I provided to them. The info available about these worms and their effect on humans definitely suggest that any responsible agency should want to limit the spread of these parasites.

[villageidiot]

 I would suggest sending this info to Dr. Leonard Eldridge.  He's the head of WSDA for veterinary medacine in charge of all sorts of livestock diseases.  He's probably real touchey about any more diseases being brought in after the Mad Cow mess.   If he lets this go across his desk without some sort of action and it ends up getting some livestock or humans dead or infected he knows his head will roll.   Wouldn't hurt to try.

[bearpaw]

Thanks for the suggestion village, I will try to locate his contact info.