Echinococcosis in Libya. I. Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs with particular reference to the role of the dog in Libyan society.

Of 151 dogs examined in 14 localities in Libya, 42 (27.81%) were infected with Echinococcus granulosus. The prevalence of the worms was generally higher in the coastal areas. Infections were light (1-200 worms) in 24 of the infected dogs, medium (201-1000 worms) in ten and high (over 1000 worms) in eight. The maximum number of worms was 12,821, recorded in a four-year-old dog. Infection rates differed with age: 12.5% in dogs aged up to one year, 36.6% for one to two years, 19.3% for two to three years, 44.2% for three to four years and 14.3% for dogs aged over five years. The role of dogs in Libyan society is discussed.