ZOONOTIC HELMINTHOSIS OF DOMESTIC AND WILD CARNIVORES IN THE EPIZOOTIOLOGIC TERRITORY OF SERBIA

Tamara Ilić,Predrag Branislav Stepanović,Milan Hadži Milić,Zoran Kulišić,Marko Ristić,Danica Bogunović,Bojan Gajić,Sanda Dimitrijević,Tamaš Petrović

doi:10.46784/e-avm.v13i1.238

Abstract

In the last decade, as the result of climate changes, there have been considerable changes in the parasitofauna of domestic and wild carnivores. The prevalence of the existing parasitic species has varied significantly, showing an increasing tendency, and some parasitic species not present before in this epizootiologic territory have been diagnosed as well. It is thought that the reason for such an epizootiological situation is increased presence of owners with their pet animals in the regions endemic for particular zoonotic helminthoses during summer holidays and touristic visits. This tendency has become especially conspicuous in the last several years characterized by warm winters and very hot summers due to global warming effects, with abundant atmospheric precipitation. Oral vaccination of foxes against rabies, regulated in Serbia by appropriate laws since 2010, has led to an increased number of foxes and rise of prevalence of the parasitic diseases for which foxes represent the infection source/reservoir. Continued urbanization of Serbian cities, with the extension of urban belts into the suburbia and recreational (“weekend”) settlements, lead to a closer contact of street dogs and owned dogs with foxes, which results in a significant change in the parasitic fauna of dogs. It is an additional factor, which in the chain fox - street dog - owned dog - human increases the risk and tendency for the occurrence of human infections with zoonotic endoparasites of wild and domestic carnivores. In order to reliably predict the degree of spread of particular zoonotic helminthoses in particular regions in Serbia, for which wild carnivores represent the infection source, it is necessary to institute continued monitoring of the parasitic fauna in this type of wild animals.

Highlights

There is a great number of zoonotic endoparasites infesting carnivorous animals which represent a risk for the health of pets or human public health, and the most important among them are the species from the genera Toxocara, Echinococcus, Taenia, Dirofilaria, Dipylidium caninum, Capillaria aerophila and Thelazia callipaeda (Overgaauw and van Knapen, 2013; Marino et al, 2018; ESCCAP, 2018)
As the consequence of global warming and active migrations of owners with their pet animals into the countries of this region and Europe, there has been an increase in the prevalence of helminths with zoonotic potential in domestic and wild carnivores in the territory of Serbia in the last ten years
In accordance with the ESCCAP guidelines (2018), it is recommended that every protocol of planned dehelminthization should be implemented after the following: 1) completed clinical examination; 2) coprological examination after the request by the owner; and 3) coprological diagnosis within the preparation for vaccinal immunization, in accordance with the advice given by the doctor of veterinary medicine

Summary

Introduction

As the consequence of global warming and active migrations of owners with their pet animals into the countries of this region and Europe, there has been an increase in the prevalence of helminths with zoonotic potential in domestic and wild carnivores in the territory of Serbia in the last ten years.

Results

Conclusion