The First Detection of Echinococcus Granulosus DNA in Residents’ Hands, Dogs’ Hair, and Soil in Highly Endemic Region of Echinococcosis — Naqu City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 2020

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease that predominantly infects humans; domestic animals like cattle or sheep; as well as wild animals such as small rodents. To date, there is a lack of comprehensive information about all potential environmental transmission routes for Echinococcus. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This study assesses the importance of under-researched environmental factors for the transmission of Echinococcus. It concludes that hand hygiene is an important factor in the robust environmental transmission of Echinococcus granulosus. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? This study suggests that residents are at risk of catching echinococcosis through hand-oral transmission routes. Health education given to local residents is thus a key intervention, as well as avoiding close contact with dogs and ensuring proper hand-washing practices are followed.