Mapping and modelling helminth infections in ruminants in Europe: experience from GLOWORM

Abstract

Mapping and modelling helminth infections in cattle and sheep in Europe through advanced geospatial research was one of the main task of GLOWORM, a three year project (2012-2014) funded under the European Commission’s (EC) seventh framework programme (FP7). Liver flukes as <em>Fasciola hepatica</em> and gastrointestinal nematodes, such as <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> were chosen for the project since these parasites constitute a major cause of lost productivity in small and large ruminants. The output of the GLOWORM project delivered guidelines for standardized and harmonized cross-sectional surveys of helminth parasites in ruminants allowing the development of updated prevalence maps and multi-scale, spatial models for the European area.