Vortrag: Applying the One Health approach to solve the Angiostrongylus cantonensis puzzle in the Balearic Islands, Spain

Dr. Claudia Paredes Esquivel (Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, Spain)

"Applying the One Health approach to solve the Angiostrongylus cantonensis puzzle in the Balearic Islands, Spain"

Neuroangiostrongyliasis is an emerging zoonosis caused by the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. In humans, the infection can cause a painful and complicated eosinophilic meningitis and it often occurs after the inadvertent ingestion of uncooked gastropods. Prevalence rates of neuroangiostrongyliasis have increased dramatically in recent years across the world. Europe was considered a non-endemic area, until 2019, when we reported the presence of the rat lungworm in Mallorca (Spain) in wild, neurologically distressed hedgehogs that were rescued by concerned citizens. Of relevance to the transmission cycle, we have also recently detected A. cantonensis in island rats, the classic definitive host. Given the heavy influx of ships between Mallorca and continental Europe, A. cantonensis is likely to be distributed in other regions of the continent. Then, active surveillance should be conducted in all areas where the parasite may become established since early diagnosis is essential for a better prognosis of affected patients. Adopting a One Health approach is a cost-effective strategy for the early detection of the rat lungworm in other regions of Europe.