Surveillance of Echinococcus multilocularis infection among 156 shelter dogs was conducted in an urban area (Sapporo city) in Hokkaido, where the parasite is endemic in Japan using copro-DNA and fecal egg examination from September 2013 to April 2017. Echinococcus infection was detected in three dogs (1.9%), including one dog that excreted eggs. The results suggested that free-roaming or stray dogs in urban area may be infected by capturing wild voles containing parasitic cysts and could be a source of human infection. Dog-to-human transmission is a significant concern, and the risk of such transmission is present even in urban areas in Hokkaido. We recommend deworming within 1 month (e.g., before egg excretion) of capture for free-roaming or stray dogs in Echinococcus-endemic area to prevent potential human infection.
Keywords: Echinococcus multilocularis; Japan; dog; epidemiology; zoonosis.