Mitogenomic exploration supports the historical hypothesis of anthropogenic diffusion of a zoonotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis

Animal movement across regions owing to human activity can lead to the introduction of pathogens, resulting in disease epidemics with medical and socioeconomic significance. Here, we validated the hypothesis that human activity, such as the transportation of infected animals, has played a significant role in introducing the zoonotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis into Hokkaido, Japan, by synthesizing and evaluating parasite genetic data in light of historical records. Our analysis indicates that a major genetic group in Hokkaido originated from St. Lawrence Island, USA, which is in accordance with the route suggested by historical descriptions. Moreover, we identified a minor genetic group closely related to parasites found in Sichuan, China. This fact implies that parasite invasion in Japan may result from complex and inadvertent animal translocations. These findings emphasize the anthropogenic impacts on zoonotic parasite spread and provide a crucial perspective for preventing future potential epidemics.