Monitoring dirofilariasis spread: herding dogs in Armenia

Abstract

Dirofilariasis is distinguished by the causative agent provoking dirofilariasis: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In the territory of Armenia, dirofilariosis is studied little. The article addresses the evaluation of the spread and prevalence of dirofilariasis in Ararat Province of the Republic of Armenia. The research was focused on herding dogs. The research showed that 100% of cases were caused by D. immitis; the average prevalence among herding dogs in Ararat Province was 16,6%. Most dogs infected with Dirofilaria were aged 3 to 5 years. Therefore, in the territory of Armenia, there is an active local focus of dirofilariasis in carnivores with the active involvement of herding dogs in its spread