Hydatid Disease ( <i>Echinococcosis</i> ) in Alaska and the Importance of Rodent Intermediate Hosts

Abstract

Hydatid disease, caused by the larval form of a tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786), is of circumpolar distribution, but has not previously been considered to be of much public health significance in North America. It is the purpose of this paper to present observations on this disease in Alaska, with special reference to its transmission to humans.