ECDC publishes echinococcosis annual epidemiological reports

On 23 May 2022, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published annual epidemiological reports on echinococcosis for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. 

In 2018: 

• 800 confirmed echinococcosis cases were reported in the EU and EEA. Of these, 411 cases were reported as Echinococcus granulosus, 146 as Echinococcus multilocularis, and 243 as unknown species. 
• The notification rate was 0.21 cases per 100,000 population. 
• The highest notification rate in males was reported in those between 25 and 44 years of age, and in females among those between 45 and 64 years of age. 

In 2019:

• 775 confirmed echinococcosis cases were reported in the EU and EEA. Of these, 419 cases were reported as Echinococcus granulosus, 154 as Echinococcus multilocularis, and 205 as unknown species. 
• The notification rate was 0.17 cases per 100,000 population, which was the lowest notification rate in the last five years. 
• The highest notification rate in males was reported among those between 25 and 44 years of age and in those over 65 years, and in females among those between 45 and 64 years of age. 

In 2020: 

• 529 confirmed echinococcosis cases were reported in the EU and EEA. Of these, 243 cases were reported as Echinococcus granulosus, 114 as Echinococcus multilocularis, and 172 as unknown species. 
• The notification rate was 0.15 per 100,000 population, which represents a further decrease compared to the rate of 0.17 for 2019, and 0.21 for 2018. The 2020 notification rate is the lowest since EU surveillance of echinococcosis began in 2007. 
• The highest notification rate in males was reported among those over 65 years of age, and in females among those between 25 and 44 years of age. 

Sources: ECDC, 23 May 2022, ECDC, 23 May 2022 and ECDC, 23 May 2022