Echinococcus multilocularis, the fox tapeworm, is a small cyclophyllid tapeworm found extensively in the northern hemisphere. E. multilocularis, along with other members of the Echinococcus genus, produce diseases known as echinococcosis. Unlike E. granulosus, E. multilocularis produces many small cysts that spread throughout the internal organs of the infected animal. The resultant disease is called alveolar echinococcosis, and is caused by ingesting the eggs of E. multilocularis.