摘要：Although the organs and tissues invaded by echinococci are not directly harmful for the health of humans, indirectly they can be very dangerous. Humans are most frequently invaded by food or water being contaminated with faeces of dogs containing mature proglottides of Echinococcus granulosus tenia. According to the report of Croatian National Institute of Public Health, the number of human echinococcosis increased in last 1o years, from 11 cases in 1994 to 32 cases in 2002. Concerning the estimation of direct losses caused by echinococcosis, according to data from 1979. in Croatia more than 400 tons of liver and lungs of slaughtered animals were rejected due to echinococcoid changes. According to the report of Veterinary Directorate of the Republic of Croatia from 1998, during veterinary-sanitary examinations of animals for slaughtering, echinococcosis was established in total 55,699 swine, 521 piglets, 366 cattle, 20 calves and 29 sheep and goats. During the year 2001. in 624 cattle, 10 calves, 53 526 pigs, 1567 piglets, 71 sheep and goats, and 53 lambs. Among the measures for eradication and control echinococcosis, the control of stray dogs and obligatory control and eradication of helminthes should be pointed out as well as the ban of introduction and holding the dogs in slaughterhouses, sanitary disposition of confiscated organs and offal and the extensive analysis of organs to echinococci. Due to the possible danger of echinococcosis spreading at slaughtering od swine, sheep and goats for own use, and particularly in so called echinococcosis districts, the introduction of veterinary-sanitary examination and control of all animals for slaughtering and meat is obligatory.
