Mandatory treatment for echinococcosis for cats and dogs

As of Friday 11 March 20011 all cats and dogs older than three months that have been in Sweden and that cross the Norwegian/Swedish border into Norway must be treated for fox tapeworm. This tapeworm is not dangerous for the cats and dogs themselves, but it can cause serious illness in humans. The owners of the cats and dogs may treat the animals themselves.

In order to prevent the spread of this parasite to Norway, a new Regulation on the mandatory treatment for echinococcosis for dogs and cats imported from Sweden was adopted 8 March 2011. The regulation enters into force Friday 11 March. All cats and dogs older than three months must be treated for fox tapeworm within the last 48 hours prior to their importation to Norway. When you bring a cat or dog from Sweden you must document that the animal has received the mandatory treatment. This may be done by signing a declaration.

Photo: Maria Heiberg Løvik.

• Read more about the parasite and the new Regulation 

The first ever finding of the fox tapeworm parasite in Sweden was confirmed in a fox hunted in December 2010. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority therefore encourages those who own cats or dogs that have been in Sweden since the fall of last year to treat their animals for echinococcosis as soon as possible. The parasite has yet to be found on mainland Norway, but there have been findings of the parasite on Svalbard. Humans can be infected either through direct contact with cats and dogs or through the ingestion of e.g. mushrooms or berries from areas where the parasite exists. Humans that are infected may become seriously and fatally ill. a requirement of mandatory treatment of all cats and dogs that have been in Sweden has been introduced.

About the treatment
A prescription is necessary when buying the medicine used to treat echinococcosis in Norway. You must therefore consult a veterinary before buying the medicine at the pharmacy. The question of whether or not a prescription for these medicines should be necessary in the future is under consideration. New information will be published in the event that a prescription no longer is needed in Norway. On the other hand, you do not need a prescription when buying medicine used to treat echinococcosis in Sweden. The types of medicine that may be used contain praziquantel or epsiprantel.

For further information contact your local Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) by calling 06040.