Companion Animal Parasite Council unveils 2022 Pet Parasite Forecast
Heartworm, Lyme, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis all pose increased threats in many areas nationwide this year.
Photo courtesy of Companion Animal Parasite Council.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) released its annual 2022 Pet Parasite Forecast which warns that vector-borne diseases (ie, heartworm, Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis) will all pose higher-than-average risks across much of the US this year. Additionally, CAPC publishes a 30-day Pet Parasite Forecast Maps to accompany the annual forecast and alert pet owners of forthcoming outbreaks every month in each US county.
In its forecast, CAPC reports that heartworm disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, and tick-borne diseases Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, are further spreading throughout the nation. Risks have increased due to rehoming of pets, plus fluctuations in:
- Distribution and prevalence of vector (mosquito and tick) populations
- Shifting wildlife populations and their incursion into newly developed and reclaimed areas
- Short- and long-term changes in climatic conditions
- Changes in habitat due to natural or human-induced processes
Backed by ongoing studies by parasitologists and statisticians in accredited academic institutions across the US, the 2022 forecast spotlights areas where more action should be taken to reduce the risk of companion animals’ exposure to disease vectors (eg, mosquito and ticks). The core of these prevention strategies include veterinarians suggesting pet parents annually test their pets for disease and protect them with products that kill or repel mosquitos and ticks, plus receive year-round heartworm prevention.
“Because of the zoonotic potential of parasites, we started providing our annual forecasts to alert communities to the risk they pose to people and pets locally,” said Christopher Carpenter, DVM and Chief Executive Officer of CAPC.
“Over the years, we’ve seen the risk for parasitic diseases increase and expand into areas that have had historically lower prevalence. CAPC’s 2022 Pet Parasite Forecast is critical to alerting pet owners to the risks this year and reinforcing CAPC’s recommendation that all pets need to be annually tested and protected year-round.”
Learn more of the details surrounding the forecast here: https://capcvet.org/articles/2022-forecasts
