Vector-borne diseases imported to Poland between 2021 and 2023

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Increased global travel and migration have led to a rise in the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in companion animals.
• Anaemic dogs arriving in or returning to Poland present a potential risk for introducing endemic pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor the occurrence of specific vector-borne diseases in anaemic dogs entering or returning to Poland.
• To identify the prevalence and sources of vector-borne pathogens in this canine population.

Main Methods:

• Molecular biology techniques were employed to detect pathogens.
• A total of 497 dogs were studied, including those arriving from Ukraine and returning from holidays in endemic regions like Croatia, Turkey, and Italy.

Main Results:

• Molecular tests confirmed vector-borne pathogens in 79 out of 497 dogs.
• The most frequent infections detected were Babesia canis (27 dogs), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (20 dogs), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (15 dogs).
• Dogs arriving from Ukraine (39 cases) and returning from Turkey (16 cases) showed the highest prevalence of these infections.

Conclusions:

• Migration and travel pose significant risks for the introduction of vector-borne diseases into Poland.
• Ongoing surveillance of vector-borne diseases in dogs returning from abroad is crucial for prompt diagnosis and effective management.