1. Change in the Distribution Pattern of Dirofilaria immitis in Gran Canaria (Hyperendemic Island) between 1994 and 2020.
- Author
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Montoya-Alonso, José Alberto, García-Rodríguez, Sara Nieves, Matos, Jorge Isidoro, Costa-Rodríguez, Noelia, Falcón-Cordón, Yaiza, Carretón, Elena, and Morchón, Rodrigo
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DIROFILARIA immitis , *DISEASE prevalence , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *DOGS , *VECTOR-borne diseases - Abstract
Simple Summary: Heartworm disease is a zoonotic illness primarily affecting dogs and cats, which poses a significant risk to public health. Gran Canaria (Canary Island, Spain) serves as a hyperendemic region for this disease, offering a model for its study. This research aimed to track Dirofilariosis prevalence and distribution among dogs, cats, and residents from 1994 to 2020. Data from 5841 dogs, 1203 cats, and 1604 humans were analyzed, considering geographical and climatic factors. Results revealed a decline in Dirofilaria immitis prevalence over the years: from 67.02% in dogs (1994) to 15.81% (2020), and from 33.03% (2010) to 17.20% (2020) in cats. Human incidence dropped from 18.66% (2008) to 8.27% (2020). Prevalence was highest in temperate cold zone (TC) and temperate mild zone (TM) climates. Despite a decrease in prevalence, Gran Canaria remains hyperendemic. The study underscores the significance of a "One Health" approach and highlights ongoing risks of disease transmission. Dirofilariosis is a zoonotic disease that mainly affects dogs and cats, with a high risk to public health. The island of Gran Canaria (Spain) has been shown to be a hyperendemic area of infection and, therefore, a model for studying the evolution of the disease. The objective of this study was to track the prevalence and distribution of heartworm in dogs, cats, and residents of Gran Canaria from 1994 to 2020, using published and unpublished data. Blood samples from 5841 dogs, 1203 cats, and 1604 humans were collected in the years analyzed, considering geographical and isoclimatic factors. In 1994, a prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis of 67.02% in dogs was reported, while in 2020 it was 15.81%. In cats, the seroprevalence in 2010 was 33.03%, compared to 17.20% in 2020. The incidence of D. immitis in humans in 2008 was 18.66%, while in 2020 it was 8.27%. For all study groups, temperate cold zone (TC) and temperate mild zone (TM) climates had the highest prevalence. Throughout these 20 years, the prevalence of heartworm disease has decreased. Despite this, it continues to be a hyperendemic island. This study highlights the importance of using the "One Health" perspective and the risks of contagion of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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