Illegal Wildlife Imports More than Just Animals—Baylisascaris procyonis in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Norway

The role of wild canids and felids in spreading parasites to dogs and cats in Europe. Part II: Helminths and arthropods

“…In addition, like protozoans, parasitic helminths and arthropods are also characterised by complex life cycles, often involving a range of intermediate (e.g., Aelurostrongylus, Troglostrongylus, Angiostrongylus and Opisthorchis) and paratenic hosts (i.e., Toxocara), which makes the identification of potential hazards of cross-transmission between wild and domestic carnivores and vice versa particularly challenging. This scenario is further complicated by the plague represented by the illegal trade of wildlife species into Europe (often carrying parasites) (Davidson et al, 2013) which, coupled with the ever-increasing human and pet travel, represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of control strategies aimed at preventing the cross-transmission of helminths and arthropods from wild to domestic carnivores (and humans). In the second part of this two-part article, we provide an overview of key diseases caused by parasitic helminths and arthopods shared by domestic and wild canids and felids (with a particular focus on those with potential public health implications) and discuss a potential way-forward towards controlling the spread of these diseases (as well as those caused by protozoan parasites) via the combined efforts of veterinarians, physicians, microbiologists, biologists and health policy-makers.…”

“…For example, B. procyonis, Toxocara and Toxascaris sp. have been recently recovered from the intestine of raccoons illegally imported to Norway (Davidson et al, 2013). The extreme resistance of ascarid eggs in the environment (i.e., up to 5 years under favourable environmental conditions) further enhances the risk of transmission of these parasites from wild to domestic animals and vice versa, and therefore the risk of zoonotic infections.…”

Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans in two white-headed lemurs (Eulemur albifrons) in Spain and response to treatment derived from a human pediatric protocol

“…The largest populations have been recorded in central Spain, near Madrid and in Guadalajara, and sporadically in other parts of the country (García et al, 2012). Prevalence of B. procyonis in raccoons is known to change and even emerge in new areas because of natural migration, translocation, accidental transport of the hosts in the United States (Kazacos, 2001;Gavin et al, 2005), or illegal introduction in countries such as Germany and Norway (Bauer, 2011;Davidson et al, 2013). Similar changes in the prevalence of B. procyonis are quite possible in Spain given the movement and expansion of the natural host reported in this country (García et al, 2012).…”

“…The North American raccoon (Procyon lotor) is the definitive host (Kazacos, 2001). In the past decades raccoons have been successfully introduced to other geographical regions around the world such as Europe, Russia or Japan, for fur trade or as pets, and are now part of the local wildlife fauna (Bauer, 2011;Davidson et al, 2013). In countries such as Germany, the feral population is fairly large (Bauer, 2011).…”

Disease risks from raccoons and skunks

“…A SHORT communication has recently reported that raccoons imported as pets and illegal imports into Norway have shown evidence of infection with Baylisascaris procyonis (Davidson and others 2013). B procyonis is an ascarid nematode commonly found in wild raccoons in North America and other areas of the world where these animals have been introduced.…”