فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat, Morocco – In a scientific first for Morocco, a recent study has revealed the presence of the parasite “Hippobosca longipennis,” commonly known as the “dog louse fly,” in dog shelters across the Kingdom. This parasite, known for causing skin irritations and painful bites in both animals and humans, has been identified for the first time in Morocco on dogs housed in shelters, according to a study published on Tuesday, May 27, in the prestigious scientific journal “Parasites & Vectors.”
Until recently, data on the presence of this parasite in Morocco was very limited. According to the study’s authors, the objective of this new research was to examine the presence of these flies on dogs in shelters and to search for any potential filarial nematodes that these flies might host.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), in collaboration with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany. The study involved 230 dogs distributed among four shelters located in the cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, and Khouribga.
Scientists detected infestation by the “dog louse fly” in 30 animals at the Khouribga shelter, representing 13.1% of the dogs in that shelter. A total of 35 fly specimens were collected, including 33 adults (10 males, 19 non-gravid females, and 4 gravid females), in addition to two third-instar larvae. These flies were primarily found on the nape of the neck and the back of the infected dogs.
The parasite “Hippobosca longipennis” is known as a potential vector for “Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides” (a filarial nematode) and can also carry mites such as “Cheyletiella yasguri,” which causes dermatitis in both dogs and humans.
Although the presence of the fly was confirmed, no filarial nematodes were detected in the specimens collected during this study. The study’s authors emphasize the need for further nationwide investigations to better characterize the species composition of Hippoboscidae and the distribution of medically and veterinarily important pathogens they might carry in different regions of the country.
