Parasitic Worms Foot Long Invading U.S.

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Parasitic Worms Foot Long Invading U.S.

A species of invasive, parasitic worm normally only found in wildlife has begun to infect domestic cats, say veterinarians. A bulletin from the Cornell University Press reported on Thursday that the foot-long Dracunculus insignis worm has been found in cats in the northeastern U.S. rather than in their normal hosts, raccoons and other wild mammals.

The Journal of Feline Medicine published a paper titled “First Report of Dracunculus Insignis in Two Naturally Infected Cats from the Northeastern USA” in its February issue. In it, Cornell University veterinarians discuss their findings with regards to the new cases.

“The cats that contracted the Dranunculus insignis worms likely ingested the parasites by drinking unfiltered water or by hunting frogs,” said the study’s lead author, Araceli Lucio-Forster.

Dracunculus worms are found all over the globe and infect a wide variety of host animals, incuding humans. Prior to a late 20th century global eradication effort, the guinea worm plagued humanity for centuries wherever water supplies were contaminated and sanitation was poor.

Prior to the new feline infections, Dracunculus insignis was only found in raccoons and other wild animals and, in some rare cases, dogs. The feline infections are the first of their kind ever documented.

There is no drug treatment for the worms, which must be removed surgically from humans and animals alike.

Read More http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/28/nasty-foot-long-parasitic-worms-make-leap-from-wildlife-to-u-s-domestic-cats/

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