Brandenburg
By tick infestation: spread of deadly canine malaria babesiosis increases
Warning of canine malaria babesiosis: the number of cases increased in Brandenburg – dog owners should not only check their four-legged friends thoroughly for ticks after a walk in the forest
© Soeren Stache / Picture Alliance
Babesiosis causes high fevers in dogs and can quickly lead to death. In Brandenburg, the cases of so-called canine malaria have recently increased. Ticks are to blame.
The Brandenburg State Hunting Association warns of a possible spread of tick-borne dog malaria. The Auwald tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) is currently increasing in Brandenburg and can trigger the disease babesiosis, also known as dog malaria, which is dangerous for dogs, the association in Michendorf announced on Tuesday. In the district of Teltow-Fläming, an official veterinarian reported a sharp increase in the number of cases last weekend.
Canine malaria babesiosis was previously only known abroad
Babesiosis causes a high fever and can quickly lead to death because it destroys red blood cells. Last May, several dogs died around Forst (Spree-Neisse). According to the association, babesiosis in dogs cannot be transmitted to humans. The researchers blame climate change in particular for the spread of the alluvial forest tick in Germany. Babesiosis was previously only known from abroad.
In addition, the common wood buck (Ixodes ricinus), which is usually active from March to October, is widespread in Brandenburg, as the hunting association announced. It transmits Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Animal owners should protect their dogs with anti-tick products after consultation with veterinarians and check their animals for ticks several times a day, the hunters advise.
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