Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium

The first record of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium is described. Between 1996 and 1999, 237 dead foxes were examined for the presence of this tapeworm using the intestinal scraping technique. Four foxes (1.7%) were found to be infected with E. multilocularis and showed medium to very high parasitic burdens. Three infected foxes originated from the south of the study area and the fourth animal came from the north of the study area near the border with The Netherlands. These findings are discussed in relation to the high endemicity of E. multilocularis in southern Belgium and to the increased distribution of the Red fox ( V. vulpes) in northern Belgium during the last two decades.