Sylvatic Trichinella reservoir not found among voles in Finland

Background Sylvatic Trichinella infection has been found to be very common in Finnish wild carnivores [1], especially locally in Southern and partly Central Finland. Cannibalism and carrion feeding have been regarded as the major source of infection to red foxes and raccoon dogs. Voles have been found the major food items of red foxes [2]. They are regarded as herbivorous, but many herbivores consume animal tissues occasionally. Therefore, voles might be assumed potentially to take part in Trichinella life cycle in the wild. Microtus spp and Myodes spp have been found to be infected with Trichinella, e.g. [3]. In Finland, refuse tip rats have been found to be rather commonly infected with Trichinella spiralis [4].