Echinococcus in red foxes

The zoonotic dwarf fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has never been detected in mainland Norway.

The objective of the surveillance program is to document freedom of E. multilocularis (i.e. a prevalence below 1% at a confidence level of at least 95%) in mainland Norway.

 

2021

The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis was based on PCR analysis of faecal samples from 511 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected during the licensed fox-hunting season in 2021 and 20 grey wolves (Canis lupus) killed in 2021. None of the samples tested positive for E. multilocularis, documenting that the prevalence in carnivore hosts (foxes and wolves) were below 1% at a confidence level of at least 95%.

Download report

Previous reports