Tungiasis: Participation of Cats and Chickens in the Dispersion and Maintenance of the Disease in an Endemic Tourist Area in Brazil

Tunga spp. are fleas commonly found in impoverished tropical regions. In Vila Juerana, a tourist community Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil, where tungiasis is endemic, dogs the main host of during their life cycle. However, there no information about role cats and chickens village. Of 272 households investigated, 112 had domestic animals, 48 only dogs, 28 cats, nine chickens. 27 with cohabitation among species, 16 eight three The injuries due to were ranked according Fortaleza classification, considering stages I, II, III as viable lesions. paws/feet 71/111 (63.9%) 173/439 (39.4%) inspected. Dogs that lived positive also Among 38% (27/7; 95% IC 26.74–49.32) cohabited houses infected but none chickens, 2.3% (4/173; 0.07–4.5) lesions caused by tungiasis. each household cat was infected, dog positive. Two an other two did not coexist species. Cohabitation absence house confinement restrictions Juerana make important carriers spread this community. Chickens low frequency despite living proximity cats.