Import risk analysis: Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna ...

34. Internal parasites
34.1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
34.1.1. Aetiological agent
All nematode, trematode and cestode parasites (except Echinococcus granulosus) of
camelids (see Section 34.1.4 for details).
34.1.2. OIE list
Internal parasites are not listed in the Code, except for E. granulosus which is considered
in the previous section of this risk analysis.
34.1.3. New Zealand status
The parasites known to occur in New Zealand have recently been compiled into an updated
check-list (McKenna 2009). This check-list is used in this section to determine which
parasites are present in New Zealand.
34.1.4. Epidemiology
34.1.4.1. Nematodes
A large number of nematode parasites have been identified in camelids and undoubtedly
more will be identified in the future. Three sources were consulted to make a list of
parasites for consideration. Taylor et al (2007) list 18 species of parasites identified to
species or genus level (Taylor et al 2007j), Wernery and Kaaden list 21 (Wernery &
Kaaden 2002) and Fowler lists 25 (Fowler 1992). Some are parasites of camelids but many
are also parasites of cattle, sheep and other animals. The parasites listed in the above
sources were compared to the list of those identified in New Zealand (McKenna 2009) to
determine which are exotic. It was concluded that the following have not been identified in
New Zealand:
Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Graphinema aucheniae
Marshallagia marshalli
Nematodirus lamae
Spiculopteragia peruvianus
Thelazia californiensis
Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been found in the lungs of an alpaca. It is described as a
lung parasite of rats and sometimes humans. It has an indirect lifecycle requiring
development in a snail and ingestion of a snail by the final host. Diagnosis of infection can
be made by demonstration of eggs in faeces (Taylor et al 2007a). It is probably rare in
camelids and of little importance since it is primarily a parasite of rats and only
incidentally of other animals.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Import risk analysis: Llamas and alpacas from specified countries ● 125