Research on the Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases due to Overgrazing - Take Echinococcosis as an Example

Abstract

Echinococcoccosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, posing a serious threat to human health, livestock production and ecological balance. This review examines the epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis, focusing on the amplifying role of overgrazing in disease transmission. Overgrazing disrupts grassland ecosystems and increases contact between wild canids (foxes, wolves), domestic animals (sheep, cattle) and humans, thereby facilitating the transmission of tapeworm eggs in contaminated environments. Clinical manifestations in humans include pressure organ damage, systemic toxicity and life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, with ruptured cysts and complications leading to high rates of recurrence and mortality. Based on the analyses, this paper proposes corresponding preventive strategies that emphasise comprehensive management of domestic animals in transitional grazing areas, safe handling of infected livestock organs and public health education to interrupt the ‘wildlife-livestock-human’ transmission chain.