The Effect of Climate Change on the Distribution and Incidence of Uk Parasitic Disease
Ian Wright
Sunday, July 2, 2017
While the prevalence of some UK parasites such as Toxocara spp. remains fairly constant despite fluctuations in climate, some other parasites are heavily dependent on mild, humid conditions to feed and reproduce. Recent mild winters and wet summers in the UK have benefitted three parasites in particular. Angiostrongylus vasorum has continued to spread across the UK with increased distribution and numbers of infected foxes, numbers of flea infestations appear to have increased in domestic cats and dogs, and Ixodes spp. tick numbers have increased with a longer seasonal period of activity. Veterinary professionals need to be aware of these changes in distribution and increased risk of disease transmission to domestic pets. This article discusses these changes and how they should inform advice given to clients.
Subscribe to get full access to The Veterinary Nurse
Thank you for vising The Veterinary nurse and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the leading peer-reviewed journal for veterinary nurses, you can start your subscription today for just £26.
Subscribing will enable you to:
- Stay up-to-date with current thinking and best practice in veterinary medicine
- Enhance your knowledge and understanding of all key clinical topics
- Achieve the mandatory requirement of 45 hours' documented CPD over a three-year period