Parasitic diseases in animals

Gastrointestinal parasites of animals

Nature

Parasitic animal diseases cause severe economic losses, and some may also be transmitted to human beings. They inflict traumatic, lytic, obstructive, intoxicative, allergenic and proliferative damage on the host, or cause loss of nutriment. In addition, the damage done by parasites may enable bacteria and other pathogens to enter the tissues and set up diseases. There are two main varieties of parasites: protozoa and metazoa. The main classes of protozoa are rhizopods, ciliates, flagellates and sporozoans. Metazoa comprise helminths (parasitic worms) of five separate groups: nematoda (roundworms), nematomorpha (gordian worms), platyhelminthes (flukes and tapeworms), acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms) and annelida (leeches); and arthropods, which can be pathogenic 'per se' or may transmit diseases (by virus, bacteria, protozoa and helminths). Main parasitic animal diseases include trypanosomiasis, liver fluke, blood fluke, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, besnoitiosis, myiasis, leishmaniasis, mange, filariasis. Bacteria, viruses and fungi may also be parasitic.

Background

Parasitic diseases in animals emerged as a significant global concern in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when advances in veterinary science revealed their profound impact on livestock productivity and public health. International outbreaks, such as rinderpest and trypanosomiasis, underscored the transboundary nature of these diseases. Subsequent research highlighted their complex epidemiology, economic consequences, and role in zoonotic transmission, prompting coordinated surveillance and control efforts worldwide. Sources: - https://www.oie.int/en/disease/rinderpest/ - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158887/

Incidence

Parasitic diseases in animals are a persistent global concern, affecting livestock, wildlife, and companion animals across continents. These diseases contribute to significant economic losses in agriculture, threaten food security, and can facilitate the transmission of zoonotic infections to humans. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) estimates that parasitic infections, such as those caused by helminths and protozoa, impact hundreds of millions of animals annually, with the highest burdens in tropical and subtropical regions.
In 2022, an outbreak of trypanosomiasis severely affected cattle herds in northern Nigeria, resulting in widespread animal morbidity and mortality. The epidemic led to substantial economic hardship for local farmers and disrupted regional meat and dairy supplies.

Claim

Parasitic diseases in animals are a critical and often underestimated crisis. These diseases devastate animal health, reduce productivity, and threaten food security worldwide. Ignoring this issue endangers not only animal welfare but also human livelihoods and economies. Immediate, coordinated action is essential to control and prevent parasitic infections. We cannot afford complacency—addressing parasitic diseases in animals must be a top global priority for the sake of both animals and people.

Counter-claim

Parasitic diseases in animals are vastly overblown as a concern. Modern veterinary medicine and routine treatments have rendered these issues nearly obsolete. With effective prevention and control measures readily available, the impact of parasites on animal health is minimal. Resources and attention would be better spent on more pressing challenges in animal welfare, rather than exaggerating the significance of a problem that is already well-managed and largely under control.