Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens in Raccoon Dogs () and Raccoons () from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Abstract

Raccoon dogs () and raccoons () are invasive alien species originating from East Asia and North America, respectively. They are discussed as vectors and reservoirs for various infectious diseases, including vector-borne and zoonotic pathogens, and are therefore a potential threat to human and domestic animal health, as well as to biodiversity and conservation. In the years 2021 and 2022, 110 raccoon dogs () and 30 raccoons () were screened via qPCR for the presence ofspp.,spp. andspp. in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein as part of a health and risk assessment study.spp. were confirmed in one raccoon dog and one raccoon, identified asin the raccoon.spp. were found in 21 (19.44%) raccoon dogs and 2 (6.90%) raccoons. In five raccoon dogs,spp. were identified as,and