24 SummaryThe prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in 214 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the southern part of Poland (Mało-polskie voivodship) was evaluated post mortem in 2005. Infected foxes were found in 8 districts within 17 examined, with the prevalence from 10.0 % to 63.9 % (a mean 20.1 % in the whole study area). The highest prevalence (41.2 % and 63.9 %) was revealed in two districts, in the south and the east of the province, respectively. The high prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes in the region previously recognised as that of low parasite endemicity provides evidence for the need of regular screening of the current epidemiological situation in foxes as well as the monitoring of humans from risk groups for early recognition of possible AE cases.

During the period of 2001-2004, 1,514 red foxes from the north and the southeast of Poland were sampled and examined parasitologically for infections with Echinococcus multilocularis. A mean 23.8% were found infected in the whole study area. The highest prevalence (50.0-62.9%) was found in some counties in the northeastern (Warmia-Mazuria) and the southeastern (Carpathian Foothill) part of the country. During the study period, significant differences in the prevalence were found on a regional level. Based on the results obtained to date, the paper presents an overview of the current epidemiological situation of E. multilocularis in the fox population in Poland.