sporadic. Few cases were documented in Japan, Koreas, Vietnam, and Thailand. Australia and the Oceania In Australia, human fasciolosis is very rare (only 12 cases documented). In New Zealand, F. hepatica has never been detected in humans. Other animals A number of drugs have been used in control fasciolosis in animals. Drugs differ in their efficacy, mode of action, price, and viability. Fasciolicides (drugs against Fasciola spp.) fall into five main chemical groups: Halogenated phenols: bithionol (Bitin), hexachlorophene (Bilevon), nitroxynil (Trodax) Salicylanilides: closantel (Flukiver, Supaverm), rafoxanide (Flukanide, Ranizole) Benzimidazoles: triclabendazole (Fasinex), albendazole (Vermitan, Valbazen), mebendazol (Telmin), luxabendazole (Fluxacur) Sulphonamides: clorsulon (Ivomec Plus) Phenoxyalkanes: diamphenetide (Coriban) Triclabendazole (Fasinex) is considered as the most common drug due to its high efficacy against adult as well as juvenile flukes. Triclabendazole is used in control of fasciolosis of livestock in many countries. Nevertheless, long-term veterinary use of triclabendazole has caused appearance of resistance in F. hepatica''. In animals, triclabendazole resistance was first described in Australia, later in Ireland and Scotland and more recently in the Netherlands. Considering this fact, scientists have started to work on the development of new drug. Recently, a new fasciolicide was successfully tested in naturally and experimentally infected cattle in Mexico. This new drug is called 'Compound Alpha' and is chemically very similar to triclabendazole. Countries where fasciolosis in livestock was repeatedly reported: Europe: UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Poland Asia: Turkey, Russia, Thailand, Iraq, Iran, China, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Japan, Korea, Philippines Africa: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, Morocco Australia and the Oceania: Australia, New Zealand Americas: United States, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Jamaica, Brazil On September 8, 2007, Veterinary officials in South Cotabato, Philippines said that laboratory tests on samples from cows, carabaos, and horses in the province's 10 towns and lone city showed the level of infection at 89.5%, a sudden increase of positive cases among large livestock due to the erratic weather condition in the area. They must be treated forthwith to prevent complications with surra and hemorrhagic septicemia diseases. Surra already affected all barangays of the Surallah town. See also Fasciolopsiasis Clonorchiasis Fh8 - chemical produced by fasciolosis infection in the liver References External links Fasciolosis Overview at CDC Immunodiagnosis of fasciolosis in Bolivian Altiplano Fasciolosis Pictures of adult flukes Pictures of F. hepatica eggs Helminthiases Veterinary helminthology Animal diseases Tropical diseases