A retrospective and geographical epidemiological survey of traumatic myiasis in southern Italy |
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Authors: | A. GIANGASPERO E. BRIANTI D. TRAVERSA M. J. R. HALL |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE), University of Foggia, , Foggia, Italy;2. Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, , Messina, Italy;3. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, , Teramo, Italy;4. Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, , London, U.K. |
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Abstract: | A survey on the prevalence and geographical distribution of traumatic myiasis in sheep, and the risk factors for the disease, was carried out in a region of southern Italy. A total of 138 sheep flocks were selected and visited to acquire data on the presence or absence of traumatic myiasis using both a questionnaire for retrospective analysis and animal inspection. Prevalences registered at the farm and animal levels, respectively, were 8.7% and 6.3% in 2010, and 5.8% and 5.0% in 2011. Records of the occurrence of the parasitic disease in this region are recent: a statistically significant (P < 0.01) progressive increase in the number of farms affected (from 0.7% to 8.7%) has been registered since 2007. Wohlfahrtiosis was found in 11 of 95 (11.6%) geographical units sampled and three significant (P < 0.05) clusters of spatial farm aggregation were identified in the southern part of the study area. A total of 158 presently uninfested farms were considered to be at high risk for transmission as a result of their proximity to infested farms. The spreading of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in southern regions of Italy represents a warning that the risk for infestation may become more significant in other Italian regions, as well as other European countries. |
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Keywords: | Wohlfahrtia magnifica GIS prevalence Italy |
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