Hydatid Disease (Cystic) or Cystic Echinococcosis

Generalities
Agent	Tapeworm: Echinococcus granulosus
Incubation period	12 months to years
Period of transmissibility	No person-to-person transmission
Reservoir	- Definitive hosts: Dogs and other canides - Intermediate hosts: herbivores (sheep, cattle...) - Canines are infected by eating viscera from infected herbivores while gazing in areas contaminated by infected dog feces
Modes of transmission	- Direct hand-to-mouth transfer of worm eggs after contact with infected dogs - Consumption of contaminated food, water, soil, or fomites - Flies may disperse eggs after feeding on infected feces
Clinical presentation	Symptoms depending on cysts topography, size and number. They are compatible with a slowly growing tumour.
Resources
Case definition	MOPH circular no. 76 (2007)
Forms	- General reporting form - Hydatid disease investigation form
Data	Refer to "Surveillance data" section