"Beware of 'Mosquitoes' When Walking Pets!" ... Heartworm, Mosquito-Borne Infection

Request for Use of Mosquito Repellent and Prescription of Preventive Medicine

Ulsan City Health and Environment Research Institute.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The Ulsan Health and Environment Research Institute's Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory announced that heartworm was detected in many mosquitoes in Ulsan parks during the research project conducted last year titled "Investigation of Heartworm Infection Rates in Mosquitoes in Ulsan Parks."

This survey examined mosquitoes collected from four parks in Ulsan City (Taehwagang National Garden, Daewangam Park, Yeocheoncheon Walkway, and Sinbulsan National Park) from June to September 2021. The test results showed that heartworm was detected in mosquitoes from three out of the four locations.

Although the investigation targeted parks, due to recent climate change, mosquito habitats are expanding beyond parks and their active periods are lengthening, so pet owners should be cautious to prevent their pets from being bitten by mosquitoes.

In particular, since studies have shown that outdoor-raised dogs have a higher heartworm infection rate than indoor-raised dogs, it is important to reduce opportunities for contact with mosquitoes during outdoor walks with pets.

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes that infects various mammals such as dogs, cats, foxes, and wolves.

Generally, the risk of infection is higher during seasons when mosquito activity is intense, but since larvae grow inside the host after infection, cases of infection occur year-round regardless of the season.

An official from the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory stated, “When walking pets, it is important to use mosquito repellents and take precautions to prevent pets from being bitten by mosquitoes. To prepare for possible infections, it is also important to visit nearby veterinary clinics to get prescribed heartworm preventive medication.”

The Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory plans to share the research results with pet-owning households in Ulsan and animal quarantine and hygiene-related institutions nationwide, and submit the findings to major domestic academic journals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.