Dog louse fly infestation in Morocco : First molecular evidence found in sheltered dogs
Researchers have documented the first molecular confirmation of Hippobosca longipennis, commonly known as the dog louse fly, infesting sheltered dogs in Morocco. The discovery was published in the journal Parasites & Vectors following a comprehensive study conducted between April and November 2022.
The research team examined 230 dogs across four shelters in central Morocco, including facilities in Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, and Khouribga. Of these animals, 30 dogs (13.1%) were found to be infested with 35 louse flies, comprising 33 adults and two larvae.
Significantly, all infested dogs were located at a single shelter in Khouribga, while the other three facilities showed no presence of the parasite. Researchers attribute this concentration to optimal environmental conditions at the Khouribga location and insecticide treatments at the other shelters.
The dog louse fly is a blood-feeding ectoparasite that affects domestic dogs, cats, and various wild animals across Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It serves as a potential vector for certain parasitic diseases and can cause dermatitis in both dogs and humans.
DNA testing confirmed the species identification and screened for filarial nematodes, though all samples tested negative for these parasites. Researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale national investigations to understand the distribution of hippoboscid species throughout Morocco.
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