Evaluation of the need and potential of harmonizing methods for red fox abundance estimation and the diagnosis of infections with Echinococcus multilocularis - A questionnaire survey

Resumen del póster presentado al APHAEA Consultation Workshop,celebrado en Utrecht el 18 de marzo de 2015.-- et al.[Background]: The APHAEA (harmonized Approaches in monitoring wildlife Population Health, and Ecology and Abundance, www.aphaea.org) project aims to establish a European wildlife disease surveillance network capable of providing reliable estimates on abundance of wildlife species and occurrence and distribution of pathogens in key wildlife species. For this purpose, the host-pathogen combination red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Echinococcus multilocularis (fox tapeworm) was selected. [Results]: We received 22 completed questionnaires from 11 participating European countries. There is substantial heterogeneity concerning the methods used for estimating red fox abundance. Information on population densities is available on a detailed local level and mostly on a yearly basis independent of the method used. [Conclusions]: Although the available data are very heterogeneous, participants clearly demonstrated their intention to harmonize their methods in the future. Crucial information regarding the used methods for abundance estimation compared to the proposed harmonized methods was obtained. With regard to the disease-related questions, harmonization is already established at a high level. Sera or tissue sample were exchanged to promote the harmonization idea.Peer reviewe