Underreporting of human alveolar echinococcosis, Germany

Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Jun;14(6):935-7. doi: 10.3201/eid1406.071173.

Abstract

We estimated the total number of human alveolar echinococcosis cases in Germany from 2003 through 2005 using the multiple source capture-recapture method. We found a 3-fold higher incidence of the disease than that shown by national surveillance data. We propose a revision of the reporting system to increase case ascertainment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease Notification / statistics & numerical data*
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / epidemiology*
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / parasitology
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity