News
A New Parasitic Infection on the Horizon!
Dear Pet Owners!
Veterinary professionals have long been aware that a little-known parasitic infection has been spreading rapidly in recent years and is now significantly prevalent in Hungary as well. It is called Dirofilariasis, spread by mosquitoes, and poses a threat to dogs, cats, and humans alike.
Recently, we have made efforts to inform all pet owners about this risk, as our own research confirms that approximately 10% of the domestic dog population is infected. (This means that every tenth tested dog is infected.)
Please read carefully!
What Causes Skin Worm Infection?
The disease is caused by a thin roundworm species (Dirofilaria repens), ranging from 5-15 cm in length. Besides dogs and cats, it can also be found in foxes and wolves. Mosquitoes play a crucial role as intermediate hosts in the worm’s development and transmission; the infection does not spread directly from animal to animal or to humans. Over the past decade, cases have increased not only in Hungary but also in neighboring countries.
What Are the Symptoms?
The infection is often asymptomatic and can only be detected through a blood test showing the presence of microfilariae (immature worms). If symptoms appear, they typically manifest as firm, non-painful nodules in the subcutaneous tissue, most commonly in animals older than 6-8 months. Affected areas may also exhibit itchiness, excessive dandruff, and hair loss. From a public health perspective, this infection is significant because mosquitoes can transmit the infectious larvae to humans. In humans, larvae often migrate to the subcutaneous tissues of the face and eyelids, where they may mature into adult worms. However, they can also be found in other areas of the body. Cases in humans, dogs, and cats are becoming increasingly common in Hungary.
How Dangerous Is Heartworm Disease in Hungary?
This parasitic infection is primarily found in the USA, Australia, Japan, and Mediterranean regions of Europe, including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and southern France. It is also present in some southern countries neighboring Hungary. Until 2008, cases in Hungary were only diagnosed in dogs that had traveled to endemic areas. The first locally infected dog was reported in 2009, and in 2010, a pet ferret was diagnosed—this was the first documented case in Europe. By 2012, infections were increasingly diagnosed in dogs that had never left Hungary, indicating the spread of the parasite within the country.
What Causes Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a different roundworm species (Dirofilaria immitis), similar to the one mentioned earlier. Adult worms can reach 12-30 cm in length and are a few millimeters thick. These worms primarily reside in the right ventricle of the heart and the major blood vessels leading to it, often causing life-threatening conditions. Like skin worms, they are spread by mosquitoes and primarily affect dogs and cats, though they have also been detected in other carnivores.
What Should You Do?
A blood test can determine whether your pet is already infected. If they are, proper medical treatment is necessary to prevent further spread. If your pet has not been infected, preventive medication is recommended to ensure protection.
Dr. Éva Fok, Dr. Antal PappSource: http://www.univet.hu/units/Parazitologia/own/parasiteweb.html