4^th CVBD Symposium

Leading experts in veterinary and human medicine, parasitology and meteorology gathered for the 4^th Symposium of the CVBD (companion vector-borne disease) World Forum, today, issued a plea for veterinarians and dog owners to be more vigilant about protecting their pets from diseases spread by ectoparasites, or vectors, as global temperatures increase across the seasons.

Speaking at the CVBD Symposium in Seville, Spain, Professor Peter Irwin, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, an expert in parasite-transmitted diseases of companion animals in Australia and South East Asia, explains: “Ongoing climate change and the increased movement of dogs through travel and importation have enabled the spread of parasites and vectors, which are now finding niches in regions where they were never found before. For example, the brown dog tick that transmits one of the pathogens that can cause canine babesiosis was once considered endemic only in tropical and subtropical climates but is now appearing in cooler climates.”

It has been estimated that average global temperatures will have risen by 1.0-3.5°C by 2100, increasing the likelihood of many CVBD in new areas, as well as extending the period for which many parasites are active during the year.

Professor Edward Breitschwerdt, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, says: “It is important that veterinarians help dog owners to fully understand the implications of climate change, increased pet mobility and exposure to vector-borne organisms. Dog owners should be made aware of the seriousness of vector-borne infectious diseases and advised on how to prevent them, especially as infectious parasites now present a health risk in some parts of the world all year-round.”

Professor Irwin added: “Implementing a preventative solution routinely that not only kills but also repels ectoparasites presents the most effective choice for reducing the risk of CVBD transmission and helps to protect the health of pet and owner.”

Other topics discussed and presented during the three-day symposium in held in Spain – a country endemic for all major CVBD present in the Mediterranean region – included the latest research and findings on infectious ectoparasites from around the world as well an update on regional activities of the CBVD World Forum.

“Through ongoing research and the accumulation of our scientific knowledge in animal health, particularly in parasitology, we will be better equipped to identify new disease threats and quickly work to effectively address them, advancing today’s animal healthcare to meet the challenges of an evolving world”, commented Margaret Fairhurst, Head of Global Marketing, Bayer Animal Health. Bayer is committed to play an active role in climate protection and started a Groupwide climate program end of 2007. It comprises several measures aimed at reducing CO² emissions at production facilities and coping with the consequences of climate change.