The event focussed on two key parasites endemic to the UK, that have significant political relevance, namely Echinococcus granulosus (Dog Tapeworm) and Toxocara spp. (roundworm). Both E. granulosus and Toxocara spp. are zoonotic parasites that are in need of educational control programmes within the UK. The question is who should hold responsibility for controlling these parasites — the government or pet owners?
In the case of Toxocara spp., studies show that only 30% of pet owners know about the infection and how to prevent it. The control of this parasite is relatively easy in some ways, having a direct lifecycle and being easily treated by anthelmintics. Control measures such poopa-scooping and regular anthelmintic treatment, combined with hygiene factors such as washing hands, covering sandpits, using gloves while gardening and washing and peeling home grown vegetables, would dramatically reduce the seroprevalence to this parasite in the UK.
E. granulosus fares better with more than 50% of pet owners knowing about the infection and how to prevent it. This, in part, could be thanks to the Welsh control programmes. Although initially successful, Copro-ELISA testing from 1993 to 2008 showed an increased prevalence of 10.8% in farm dogs in Wales. Furthermore, studies suggest that E. granulosus is far more widespread in the UK than was previously thought. Treatment of hydatid disease in humans is fundamentally difficult with a high economic burden.
Lectures also considered exotic vector-borne diseases (VBDs), particularly as biological invasions. The chance of disease establishment in the UK can be calculated by the propagule pressure (how often it is brought into a country) and the habitat suitability (both climate and vector availability). The vectors for Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm), mosquitoes, are already present in the UK, but we are waiting for the disease. On the other hand, leishmaniosis is already present in the UK (via imported and travelling dogs) but the sandflies which act as vectors are not. There are currently no other vectors known for the disease but vertical transmission is a high risk. Where exotic tick-borne diseases are concerned, the UK's best defence is to keep their vectors out. This has been complicated by the removal of the mandatory tick treatment from the Pet Travel Scheme in 2012. There is an upward trend in habitat suitability for vectors through climate change.
Further discussions into the exotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis (Fox Tapeworm) showed worrying information. The definitive host of E. multilocularis is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), although dogs are also suitable hosts, with the primary intermediate hosts the members of the microtine rodent family. The UK has high fox densities and is optimal microtine rodent habitat. Indeed, Microtus agrestis (the field vole) is the most common mammal in Britain. Add to this a 98% risk of one dog out of 10 000 returning to the UK with E. multilocularis and apply the biological invasion theory and the UK can be seen as very high risk for E. multilocularis.
Pet owners in the UK are currently reliant on advice from veterinary professionals in order to follow the rules and protect their pets. There is an increasing shift away from strict rules and regulations towards fewer rules and owners wanting to protect their pet. The question is, are veterinary practices in the UK equipped to meet this challenge and advise on the best way to abide by the rules and protect pets, and can more be done to increase effective control of parasites in the UK?