The prevalence of Trichinella spiralis in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and other game species in Denmark.

A survey of the rate of infection with Trichinella spiralis among game animals in Denmark is given with special regard to foxes. A total of 5084 foxes and 293 mustelidae were examined, most of them by a combined digestion and Baermann technique. Deep-frozen samples were examined by a method including digestion, filtration, and sedimentation. Four foxes were found infected (cf. Fig. 1). Three of them were shot inside or just outside a fenced area within which wild boars had previously been found infected. It is concluded that Trichinella infection in Danish free-living carnivores is very rare and that the prevalence in foxes is low compared to most European countries.