Monday 3rd July 2017

Recent reports of babesiosis in untraveled dogs in Essex

Although there have been no recent reports of babesiosis in untraveled dogs in Essex, this paper from PHE demonstrates the potential for infection is still present https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-017-2178-5
Babesia canis was found in Dermacentor ticks collected from the field in Harlow where the outbreak originated but also in one tick from an endemic foci of Dermacentor in Wales. This demonstrates the potential for fresh outbreaks to occur wherever there are endemic pockets of Dermacentor. Babesiosis should now be considered as a differential for IMHA in untraveled UK dogs and tick prevention used for high risk pets.

ESCCAP UK & Ireland News Item