In New Hampshire, two hunters were infected with “A parasite never before seen in humans.” The infection happened after the pair hunted and butchered a moose with their dogs, says Newsweek.
As Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, infectious disease physician at Dartmouth Hitchcock Health told WMUR Channel 9, “It’s the first time it’s been identified in humans.” Because of this, the state’s Health and Human Services Department has healthcare workers on high alert.
Although humans rarely contract the parasite, dogs in contact with raw game meat can. As a result, hunters with dogs in moose territory are at a notably higher risk. According to Dr. Talbot, the state’s been tracking tapeworms in moose populations for several years.
How do people get infected with parasites?
“Typically,” said Dan Bergeron, Fish and Game wildlife division chief,” they pick it up through the feces of the dog.”
Dogs get infected when they feed on raw meat and organs — like you would see while hunting. “The dog licks themselves and then a human touches the dog or gets licked by the dog and gets contaminated with an egg,” Talbot said.
Amazingly, the eggs are formed inside the dog’s intestines by the adult parasites. After pooping, the egg-laced droppings are eaten by moose. At this point, the larvae travel around the bloodstream and settle throughout their host. When a dog eats the infected raw meat and offal, the cycle renews.
Interestingly, this tapeworm only transfers between hooved animals and canids, including coyotes and wolves.
How would I know if I’m infected?
Unfortunately, you wouldn’t know if you’re infected, at least not right away. But inside your body, slowly, the tapeworms would grow. As they did, fluid-filled hydatid cysts would form, filled with premature parasite forms.
Depending on where they form, these cysts can be deadly. If one were to form in your brain or lungs, any number of functions could be infected.
Thankfully, the New Hampshire Health and Human Services Department are getting ahead of the problem. Besides warning hunters about the parasite and promoting safety and sanitation, the state recommends not letting dogs eat raw meat. Also, they suggest giving your dog deworming medication.
