Rastreos del grupo de lucha contra la equinococosis-hidatidosis en los municipios de Elvas y Alandroal¿

The activity of this multidisciplinary Group is running in north-east Alentejo, an area where there are high prevalence level of parasitism by Echinococcus granulosus. This factor, lead to the first of survey in 1991 and the establishment of a multidisciplinary group fighting Hydatidosis- Echinococcosis on a regular basis in 1998. The group develops different activities: Surveys in humans (epidemiological questionnaire, blood collection and abdominal ultrasound survey); health education (main talks for rural citizens, distribution of information in paper format, individual interviews with the target populations, collection of epidemiological data); close interaction/ collaboration with the Hospital de Santa Luzia de Elvas (serological analysis of collected sera; Hydatidological consultation and surgery). 18 rural population areas were surveyed, representing 7,8% of the population. The activity of this multidisciplinary group aims to develop activity in the definitive host and livestock having as a main goal not only the control but yet the eradication of the parasite