Work

‘Transmission Tracker – Dirofilaria’– a public dashboard to assess in real‐time the temperature‐bounded transmissibility of canine heartworm across Australia

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The causative agent of canine heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis, requires specific temperature conditions to mature within its mosquito vector, and therefore (re-)infect a canid host. Suitable temperature conditions are not continuously met for locations where most (>97%) Australians and their pet dogs live. The length of the disruption in the transmissibility of D. immitis varies greatly across Australia, and to some degree, between years. We developed an online dashboard 'Transmission Tracker - Dirofilaria' that processes near real-time temperature records across Australia and allows users to enquire about historical and current weather suitability for canine heartworm transmission at any Australian postcode of their interest. This information allows veterinarians to access when, and for how long, heartworm may be transmitted at a specific location, assess the associated risk of infection and advise on a patient-dependent dirofilariosis prevention plan for their canine patients and guardians. Our dashboard is publicly accessible at: https://heartworm-mapping.adelaide.edu.au/shiny/.

Source: Australian Veterinary Journal

DOI: 10.1111/avj.13379

Authors: PJ Atkinson, M Stevenson, R O'Handley, T Nielsen, C Caraguel

Institutions: The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400