Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Debilitating parasite finds new transition pathway in dogs
"Dogs are now the key impediment to eradicating this dreadful human disease" - Professor Robbie McDonald.
Dogs eating infected fish has slowed the process of eradicating Guinea worm disease. 

Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered that the eradication of Guinea worm disease is being impeded by domestic dogs, who are harbouring the parasite by eating infected fish.

Guinea worm disease, usually caught by drinking water containing water fleas carrying the parasite larvae, causes disability and trauma in communities in Chad, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan. 

Once inside the body, the worms mate and grow, and after 10 to 14 months, an adult worm of around one metre in length emerges from the body to shed it's larvae back into the water.

Eradication programmes have been hugely successful, with human cases of Guinea worm cut from millions per year in the 1980s, to only 27 cases in 2020. 

However, new research published in Current Biology by researchers at the University of Exeter has revealed a new transmission pathway for the disease, dogs can eat fish which carry the parasite larvae, and maintain the parasite's life-cycle, making it possible for humans to continue to catch the disease. 

Professor Robbie McDonald, who led the study, said: “Dogs are now the key impediment to eradicating this dreadful human disease.

"Our work shows that fisheries, and the facilitation of dogs eating fish, are likely contributing to the persistence of Guinea worm in Chad.

"The challenge now is that this pathogen must be eliminated not only from people but also from animals.

"This is a clear example of where a 'One Health' approach to integrating health of people, animals and the environment is required to eradicate this debilitating human disease."

The paper, entitled "Seasonal fishery facilitates a novel transmission pathway in an emerging animal reservoir of Guinea worm” can be accessed here

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.