Cow with hydatid detected in Tasmania

Hydatid cysts have been detected in a cow killed at a Tasmanian abattoir.

However, thanks to livestock identification and traceability systems, authorities have determined that the cow was imported and that the disease was not caused by an infected dog on that property.

Hydatid disease occurs when the eggs of a small tapeworm living inside a dog are ingested by a human, sheep, cow, goat, or pig, and develop into a fluid-filled cyst that grows and destroys surrounding tissues.

Humans can get cysts in the brain, lungs, liver, bone and other organs, and people can die suddenly if a cyst ruptures. In the 1960s and 1970s, Tasmania had a successful program to eradicate hydatids.

Back then, half of the Tasmanian sheep had hydatids, 10 per cent of dogs were infected and up to two people a year died from hydatids.

Different strains of hydatids adapt to different species, with cattle hydatids most commonly seen nowadays.

There is no blood test for hydatids.