A retrospective study on burden of human echinococcosis based on Hospital Discharge Records from 2001 to 2009 in Sardinia, Italy

► Sardinia is an endemic region for echinococcosis in the Mediterranean basin. ► We evaluated direct costs for cystic echinococcosis hospitalizations in Sardinia. ► We estimated the burden of human CE in Sardinia in terms of DALYs. ► We need greater cooperation among agencies to reduce human and animal infection. ► A specific and long lasting system of disease surveillance and control should decrease the CE prevalence.