What is Hydatid Cyst?

Hydatid cyst is a rare infectious disease, known medically as echinococciasis, and found in communities where sheep and cattle raising is carried out with the help of dogs. Eggs of a small tapeworm carried by the dogs are excreted in their faeces. The eggs then fall on the ground, and if they are swallowed by man or another animal in contaminated food or water they enter the bloodstream and form cysts, usually in the lung or liver. The cysts are easily overlooked and difficult to diagnose.