Zoonotic helminthosis of domestic and wild carnivores in the epizootiologic territory of Serbia

Abstract

In the last decade, as the result of climate changes, there have been considerable changes in the parasitofauna of domestic and wild carnivores. Th e prevalence of the existing parasitic species has varied signifi cantly, 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. Th is tendency has become especially conspicuous in the last several years characterized by warm winters and very hot summers due to global warming eff ects, 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 signifi cant 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.