Cystic echinococcosis in Sardinia: the current role of sheep

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most widespread parasitosis in the Mediterranean region. Unfortunately this is also true for Sardinia for various reasons, among which is the close relationship between sheep and dogs in the farms. This work first epidemiologically analyses hydatidosis in sheep in Sardinia and then examines the most important causes of the persistence of these metacestodosis in sheep. The work looks at the factors which are responsible for the enormous quantity of illegal slaughtering and the widespread habit of abandoning the sheep carcasses in the grazing areas, as well as possible initiatives which may eliminate these practices. Such initiatives must include reducing the financial costs and bureaucracy involved when sheep are slaughtered in abattoirs, and also increasing the value of sheep meat. In conclusion new checks and controls are hoped for at a political level which will increase the financial support for the farmers and encourage the use of recombinant vaccines which have already been tested in Sardinia. These are extremely useful for effectively curbing cystic echinococcosis.