Fox Tapeworm: Risks and Prevention Measures

People without a hunting licence have little to fear.

Infection with the fox tapeworm occurs primarily through contact with infected foxes. Symptoms of this disease can take years to manifest, but when they do, they can be severe. These include weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice and general malaise.

The fox tapeworm, scientifically known as Echinococcus multilocularis, is a parasitic worm found primarily in foxes, but which can also be transmitted to dogs and cats. Mice, rats and other rodents serve as intermediate hosts for the worm. When these small animals are eaten by a dog, cat or fox, the parasite finds an ideal definitive host in them. This type of parasite can cause the life-threatening disease alveolar echinococcosis in humans by infecting the liver, lungs and, less commonly, other organs. Ingestion of worm eggs does not automatically lead to illness. In most cases, the immune system repels the parasites. According to the State Forests of Rhineland-Palatinate, only one in nine people who have ingested the eggs develops alveolar echinococcosis.

"The fear of contracting the fox tapeworm is practically unfounded. According to the University Hospital Ulm alveolar echinococcosis is very rare, with only 40 to 70 new cases per year nationwide. There is also no evidence that the parasite is transmitted through the consumption of wild-growing berries or mushrooms”, said Peter Höffken of Peta. “Hunting, during which almost half a million foxes are killed and partly skinned in Germany every year, is by contrast a major risk factor for contracting this zoonosis."

Prevention of fox tapeworm infections includes measures such as regular hand washing, especially after contact with animals, and deworming of pets. It is also important to heat game meat sufficiently before consumption to avoid infection. Even though there is no evidence that consuming fruit or vegetables growing on the ground triggers a fox tapeworm infection, it is generally advisable to thoroughly wash fruit from forests and gardens before eating and to avoid heavily contaminated parts of plants.

Combating the fox tapeworm requires a comprehensive approach that includes educating the public about the risks and preventive measures. Fox droppings in the garden should be removed with a shovel or gloves. To kill any potential pathogens, it is advisable to pour hot water over the site where the droppings were found.

It is important that people in hunter households who live or work with the risk of fox tapeworm are aware of the potential dangers and take appropriate precautions to prevent infection.

Hobby hunters kill countless foxes every year. Hunting associations unjustifiably stoke fears of the fox as a parasite carrier in order to justify fox hunting. However, scientific studies have proven that hunting these animals spreads the fox tapeworm further and increases the risk of infection, rather than containing the parasite — similar to the way terrestrial rabies was eventually eradicated through animal-friendly vaccine baits.

Dossiers: The Fox in Switzerland: Most Hunted Predator Without a Lobby | Fox Hunting Without Facts: How JagdSchweiz Invents Problems