Tried to find statistics on worm infections in Europe. Instead I found this ...
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/c...ed-shed-party-likely-had-brain-worm-infection
A video featuring a group of friends hanging out in a shed in northern Ontario has gone viral, due to an unexpected visitor that made an appearance.
Speaking with CTV News,
Jacob Rintala explained a docile moose showed up, stuck his head in, and even let Rinalta pet it several times.
Rintala said it hung around his farm for the weekend.
Experts say the male moose, estimated to be between a year to 2.5-years-old, was exhibiting behaviour consistent with a
brain worm infection.
"Usually, moose are elusive animals that avoid human contact completely," Meghan Forbes, an acting regional specialist with the
Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry regional and district offices, told The Weather Network.
A moose infected with brain worm will act unafraid and is unlikely to become aggressive, but a docile moose can still be dangerous.
"Anyone encountering a moose should never approach it or reach out to touch it," Forbes said, because if something startles it, the animal could lunge or charge.
Brain worm typically infects white-tailed deer, but as the typical host for the parasite, it is not likely to trigger adverse reactions. When other susceptible species, like moose, mule deer, reindeer, sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas are infected, brain worm can be fatal.
Animals typically contract brain worm by accidentally ingesting an infected snail or slug while feeding.
In addition to a loss of fear and remaining in an area for an extended period, other symptoms of brain worm include weakness or stumbling, difficulty feeding, and apparent deafness or blindness.