Free: Contests & Raffles.
gonna have to give me a few days to get the cheat sheet up and running, just blew the transfer case in my truck :bash:and gotta get it working again. Bearpaw Great info will definitely add it in. When posting something to add to cheat sheet please provide links so that we can show it's hard data not just speculation, most enviro's hate it when you give them hard data cause they don't have good arguments to fight against it.
Echinococcus Fact SheetWhat is Echinococcus?Echinococcus is a genus of tapeworm. Two species of Echinococcus (Echinococcusgranulosus, and Echinococcus multilocularis) are known to exist in Montana wildlife. E.multilocularis has been documented in coyotes (SeeSee et al., 1983 and SeeSee et al.,1993) and in foxes (SeeSee et al., 1993) in Montana for several years. Although E.granulosus can be found almost worldwide, adult E. granulosus has only beendocumented in Montana during the past few years. An article recently published in theJournal of Wildlife Diseases describes the prevalence of E. granulosus in wolves(definitive host) and ungulates (intermediate host) in Idaho and Montana (Foreyt et al.,2009).E. multilocularis and E. granulosus differ in morphology, and also in the “typical” hoststhat they infect.Explain the life cycle of Echinococcus.Echinococcus species require two hosts to complete their life cycle. The adult tapewormslive in the intestine of the definitive host, which is typically a canine. Adult tapewormslay eggs that are excreted with the feces of the definitive host. In many cases, thedefinitive host does not suffer adverse effects, even with a relatively heavy parasiteburden.The intermediate host becomes infected by ingesting eggs that were passed with thecanine feces. The intermediate host is typically a rodent (in the case of E. multilocularis),domestic or wild ungulate (in the case of E. granulosus), or occasionally a human. Onceingested, the eggs hatch in the digestive tract of the intermediate host, then enter theblood stream and are carried to organs, primarily the lung, liver, or brain, where theydevelop into a cyst that contains immature form of the parasite. The number of cysts thatdevelop in an intermediate host ranges from 1 to many. Intermediate hosts with few cystsmay not experience significant adverse effects whereas extremely heavy burdens may befatal.The parasite life cycle is completed when the intermediate host dies and anothercarnivore consumes the organs containing parasite cysts. Adult tapeworms again developin the intestine of the canine definitive host, and begin laying more eggs.January 21, 20102E. granulosus typically infects domestic dogs or wolves as a definitive host, and wild ordomestic ungulates as the intermediate host. E. multilocularis primarily infects foxes,coyotes, or wolves as a definitive host, and rodents as an intermediate host. Each of theseparasites can sometimes infect other animals, and humans.Can humans become infected with Echinococcus?Yes. There is some risk of humans becoming infected with Echinococcus. Echinococcusinfection in humans can lead to development of cysts in organs such as the lungs, liver orbrain, just as it does with other intermediate hosts. Cysts may develop over prolongedperiods of time (10-15 years) before any clinical signs are evident. Treatment mayinvolve surgical removal of cysts and treatment with anthelmintic medications.How could a human become infected?To become infected, a human must ingest parasite eggs, which are passed with the fecesof an infected canine. Eggs could be ingested while consuming vegetation or drinkingwater that has been contaminated with feces. Humans could also become infected by notwashing their hands before eating if they’ve handled canine scats or contaminated caninefur.What is the result of human infection with Echinococcus?There are two biotypes of E. granulosus in North America. The northern biotype, whichhas a canine definitive host and a cervid intermediate host, is thought to be the biotypefound in Montana wolves. This biotype has been reported in moose, elk, caribou, whitetaileddeer, wolves, coyote, and dogs in North America and Eurasia. In the UpperPeninsula of Michigan, a deer/coyote and a moose/wolf cycle has been observed. Humaninfection with this particular biotype is considered by some experts to be relativelybenign (Rausch, 2003). Infection with this biotype primarily results in development ofcysts in the lungs, which often rupture and resolve with expulsion (Meltzer et al., 1956;Wilson et al., 1968). Therefore, fatal human infection resulting from the wolf-ungulatecycle in Montana is very low (Foreyt et al., 2009).The second biotype (domestic biotype) is typically found in domestic dogs and domesticungulates, especially sheep. Human cases are uncommon, but do occur, especially inhigh-risk groups having close contact with sheepherding dogs in the southwestern UnitedStates (Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah) (Foreyt et al., 2009). Utah has had thehighest number of surgical human cases in the United States. From 1944-1994, they had45 reported surgical cases of human Echinococcosis. Human infections with the domesticbiotype of E. granulosus are considered to be more dangerous. Cysts that develop inorgans such as the lung, liver, or brain, sometimes over several years, may requiresurgical removal and anthelmintic medications. Treatment is not always successful.How do I minimize my risk of infection with Echinococcus?There are several basic precautions that can minimize the risk of human infection withEchinococcus. Dog owners should not allow their dog to consume carcasses of wild ordomestic ungulates. If your dog does have access to carcasses, talk to your veterinarianabout appropriate deworming strategy. Always wash your hands after handling a dogJanuary 21, 20103that has access to ungulate carcasses. When enjoying outdoor recreation, do not touch ordisturb wolf, coyote, or fox scat. Hunters should wear gloves when field dressing a wolf,coyote, or fox carcass, and wash your hands, forearms etc., since they may have comeinto contact with feces or contaminated fur.Where did the Echinococcus granulosus in Montana come from?It is not known where the E. granulosus recently documented in Montana originated.Perhaps the parasite was maintained at a low level in canids such as coyotes and dogs inthe absence of wolves prior to wolf reintroductions in 1995 and 1996, and the presence ofwolves has amplified the parasite on the landscape. The possibility that E. granulosuswas brought into Montana with transplantation of wolves from Canada into YellowstoneNational Park cannot be ruled out. Transplanted wolves were treated with ananthelmintic drug effective against E. granulosus prior to release, however, it cannot beverified that treatment was 100% effective in all wolves.Can Echinococcus infect domestic livestock?Yes. As mentioned above, the domestic biotype of E. granulosus typically infectsdomestic sheep as it’s intermediate host. However, E. granulosus can occasionallyinfect domestic cattle and horses. A horse/dog cycle has been reported in Belgium,Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States(Maryland). A cattle/dog cycle has been reported in Belgium, Germany, South Africa,and Switzerland. A Swine/dog cycle has been reported in Poland. Only a few cases havebeen reported in horses within the United States. In most cases, Echinococcus was anincidental finding during necropsy after death from another cause. Most of the infectedhorses had been imported from Europe, however the first documented case ofEchinococcus in a horse that originated in the United States occurred in Maryland in1993. Again, the horse died of unrelated causes, and the Echinococcus cyst was anincidental finding at necropsy. In mild infections, the intermediate host may show nosigns of disease; however, severe infections could be fatal.Can I be infected with Echinococcus by handling tissues of an elk with Echinococcuscysts in the lungs or liver?No. Humans must ingest Echinococcus eggs to become infected. Only the larval stageof the parasite is found within cysts in ungulates. The adult tapeworms, which lay eggsthat can infect humans, are found in the intestinal tract of canines.
Who is paying for this reintroduction? The State, or federal level? Let me guess each State from the General funds contributed to from hunting and fishings licenses and permits. Then when they kill livestock reimbersement comes from the General fund once again.