UW study: Parasitic tapeworm — a risk to domestic dogs and humans — found in Washington coyotes

A University of Washington study published in March 2026 detected a parasitic tapeworm called Echinococcus multilocularis in 37 of 100 coyotes surveyed in the Puget Sound region—the first confirmed presence of this parasite in wild hosts on the West Coast. The tapeworm can infect domestic dogs and humans, causing cancer-like cysts in the liver. Researchers recommend dog owners prevent infection through routine veterinary care, preventative medications, and keeping dogs from hunting or scavenging rodents.