Incheon City Confirms Heartworm in Park Mosquitoes... Infection Risk for Pets During Walks

Heartworm in dog blood [Provided by Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute confirmed the presence of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and subcutaneous filaria (Dirofilaria repens) in mosquitoes collected from local parks and urged pet owners to take preventive measures against infection.

Heartworm does not affect humans, but when mosquitoes feed on a host, larvae enter the bloodstream and infect dogs and cats, parasitizing the pulmonary artery and right ventricle, causing circulatory disorders and cardiopulmonary diseases.

Subcutaneous filaria is also transmitted through mosquito bites, parasitizing the subcutaneous tissue where it can grow up to 25?30 cm and cause symptoms such as inflammation.

Since the summer of 2018, the institute has been collecting mosquitoes from six parks using automatic mosquito traps and confirming the presence of heartworm and subcutaneous filaria through genetic testing methods (polymerase chain reaction).

Last year, 24 cases of heartworm were confirmed in five parks. From May this year to early last month, a total of 13,873 mosquitoes were collected, resulting in 12 cases of heartworm in four parks and 8 cases of subcutaneous filaria in three parks.

Once heartworm infection matures into adults inside the body, treatment becomes difficult and it can be fatal to dogs and cats; however, prevention is possible by regularly obtaining preventive medication from veterinary clinics.

The institute is conducting a heartworm infection risk survey until October and has posted banners in five local parks, including Incheon Grand Park, and is informing the public through air quality measurement electronic display boards to promote heartworm prevention.

An official from the Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute stated, "Since heartworm was found in mosquitoes in parks where pets are walked, we strongly recommend obtaining preventive medication." They added, "With the annual average temperature gradually rising and more indoor living, there is a risk of mosquito-borne infection even in winter, so administering preventive medication year-round is the best way to prevent infection."