Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer discusses the increased dispersion of mosquitoes in Europe. The phenomenon is mirrored in the U.S. She sees three factors:
- Climate change
- Infected dogs moving around more than in the past
- New mosquito vectors that can transmit heartworm disease
Source: Veterinary Medicine, April 5, 2017.
Stop to consider the second point above—an infected dog moving into a new area. Dr. Kramer says this can create a new endemic area of heartworm disease right where you live. No matter where you practice, prevention is a must—without it, infection is just a matter of time.