Health Threats from Parasites are Increasing
World Parasite Awareness Day is an Important Step Toward Keeping Pets and People Healthy
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health leaders from around the world are marking the first ever World Parasite Awareness Day, a collective effort to raise awareness about the increasing threat of parasites to pets and people.
Mosquito-borne and tick-borne disease incidence is increasing in the United States, with a tripling of reported cases from 2004 to 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Companion Animal Parasite Council's 2024 Pet Parasite Forecast reports that pathogens that cause heartworm, Lyme and other diseases in pets continue to spread across the United States and ticks and mosquitoes are the principal transmitters of pet and human vector-borne pathogens.
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) joins veterinary experts, parasite councils, researchers, animal health companies to ensure pet owners understand the implications of the escalating parasite threat and urge annual wellness checks at the veterinarian.
"Actions we take to protect our pets can also help protect ourselves, and nowhere is this more pronounced than parasite prevention," said Rachel Cumberbatch, DVM, Vice President, Regulatory and International Affairs for AHI. "The threats from internal parasites, mites, fleas, and ticks are reaching into new geographic areas each season. Our ability to live in close quarters with our pets and safely enjoy the human-animal bond depends on making sure they are free from parasites. Veterinarians can help explain which parasites are a risk in your specific area, how to best maintain the environment to reduce your risk, and which parasite control medication is best for your pet."
Parasites can cause more than uncomfortable bites and welts; they can spread diseases from pets to people. Pets can carry parasites that pass to humans potentially dangerous diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Toxocariasis. These diseases can pose a serious risk to people, particularly children, elderly, or immunocompromised people like organ transplant recipients. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly half a million people in the United States are diagnosed and treated for a tickborne disease each year.
The good news is that when pet owners protect their animals from parasites, they can create a zone of protection for themselves. But it's important to work with veterinarians to ensure your pet has the best prevention plan.
"Preventing parasites is far easier and safer than treating the diseases they can cause," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Regular veterinary wellness exams ensure that our pets receive year-round parasite prevention tailored to their individual needs, which may change over time. These visits are essential for preventing illnesses or catching them before they become a more serious threat, protecting not only pets but the people who love them."
Resources for parasite prevention:
AVMA: Managing External Parasites
Companion Animal Parasite Council | CAPC Guidelines
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SOURCE Animal Health Institute