Abstract
An epizootiological survey was conducted on multilocular echinococcosis among animals in eastern districts of Hokkaido, Japan, during a period from March, 1966, to March, 1968.
The presence of adult organisms of Echinococcus multilocularis was proved in 18 dogs (2.8%) of 641 collected from four districts, Nemuro, Bekkai, betsu, and Shibetcha. The tapeworm was confirmed in 17 (23.9%) of 71 foxes, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, collected from three districts, Nemuro, Bekkai, and Nakashibetsu. Echinococcus larvae were found from only one (0.6%) vole, Clethrionomys rutilus mikado, of 156 various voles in the Nemuro district.
The infection rate was higher in foxes than in dogs. It is considered, however, that the dog plays a more important role than the fox in the infection of human beings.
