Les zoonoses du Grand Nord

Zoonotic parasitic diseases are present worldwide and are an increasing problem in people living in northern countries, where the prevalence of some parasites is higher than in general north America population. Giardia intestinalis is widespread in northern America and Greenland. Giardia cysts have been found in different domestic and wild animals as beavers and seals. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium in northern Canada is relatively low. Antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii have been reported in animal and people in northern countries. Human cases and wildlife of Trichinella sp have been reported in the same countries, due to bear and walrus meat. Toxocara canis is transmitted among dogs, wolves, coyotes and foxes. Anisakid nematod have been detected in wildlife, mostly in marine animals. Diphyllobothrium cestodes are present in marine and freshwater animals. Echinococcus canadensis is present in Alaska and in northern Canada but not in Greenland. The definitive hosts are canid and cerviid, as caribous and reindeers. The definitive hosts for Echinococcus multilocularis are found in arctic foxes, red foxes and dogs. Due to the education and control program, no reports of human case have been reported since 1986 in Alaska. Climate warming and ecological perturbations are modifying the structure of terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems, facilitating parasites survival and transmission among wildlife, local population and visitors.