Leishmaniasis, traditionally associated with Mediterranean areas, is spreading to the Canary Islands, historically free of autochthonous transmission.
Thirteen autochthonous cases have been confirmed in the archipelago, with 215 dogs testing positive for Leishmania infantum since 2023. A study conducted between 2023 and the present, with a sample of 600 dogs (target 700), reveals a seroprevalence of 2.45% in dogs, exceeding expectations.
Factors such as animal movement, climatic conditions favorable to the vector (phlebotomine sand fly), and an increase in veterinary diagnosis could be driving this spread. A higher level of clinical suspicion, inclusion in preventive protocols, and enhanced epidemiological surveillance are recommended in veterinary practice in the Canary Islands.
