Parasitic infections and diseases in the wild fauna

The Danish Veterinary Consortium carries out substantial research on parasites in livestock and in companion animals, with emphasis on notifiable and zoonotic infections, and on diseases in wildlife.

The current focus is on toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiose and roundworm infections in various livestock species. We investigate diagnostic and epidemiological aspects of liver flukes (fasciolosis) in cattle, sheep and wild deer. A major objective is to develop alternative methods of parasite control, where the risk of drug resistance is minimized. Ongoing investigations also include the occurrence of zoonotic parasites (several mentioned above) in companion animals (cats and dogs).

A current research theme in wildlife diseases is the gastro-intestinal health of deer, and the interactions between disease and the gut microbiota. Furthermore, special surveillance programs are planned based on selected animal material from the wild fauna to monitor notifiable and other parasitic diseases, e.g. echinococcosis (Echinococcus multilocularis), toxoplasmosis and trichinosis. These all have zoonotic potential and the control should be carried out with a One Health perspective.