Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), native to South America, were recently introduced to Korea, primarily for tourism-related activities. However, information on their parasitic infections in alpacas within the region are limited. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in an alpaca herd on a single farm in Korea and to assess the potential risks for reinfection and interspecies transmission. Between June 2022 and June 2023 (excluding December 2022 and January 2023), fecal samples were collected monthly from a herd of 61 alpacas housed on a farm on Jeju Island, Korea. Coprological examination of 406 samples was performed using a modified McMaster technique, and parasites were identified morphologically. Six gastrointestinal parasite taxa were identified: strongyles, Trichuris sp., capillarids, Moniezia sp., Eimeria lamae, and Eimeria macusaniensis. The overall gastrointestinal parasite prevalence was 11.3%, with strongyles and Trichuris sp. most frequently identified. No seasonal trends were observed, and mixed infections were present in five animals. The prevalence was markedly lower compared with reports from Japan, Poland, and Australia, reflecting the restricted pasture access implemented by Korea’s alpaca management systems, which are primarily tourism-oriented. Neither Nematodirus spp. nor zoonotic parasites were detected. This is the first longitudinal investigation of gastrointestinal parasites in alpacas in Korea. Although the overall prevalence was low, environmental contamination and the risk of reinfection are ongoing concerns. These findings highlight the need for routine surveillance, targeted parasite control, and consistent veterinary oversight, particularly as alpaca populations expand in Korea.

We report a species of diplostomid fluke recovered from 3 carcasses of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. A total of 107 diplostomid flukes were recovered from the small intestines of Korean raccoon dogs, which were obtained from the Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center. Worms fixed with 10% neutral formalin were subjected to microscopic observation and those fixed in 70% ethanol were used for molecular genomic analysis. The worm was divided into 2 separate parts, forebody and hindbody, with a total length of 3,020-4,090 (3,855) µm and a width of 1,210-1,770 (1,562) µm. The boat-shaped forebody has a pair of characteristic tentacular appendage, 2 suckers, holdfast organ, and vitelline follicles. The oval to cylindrical hindbody has reproductive organs. The ovary was round or elliptical and located in the anterior of the testes. Two large testes were slightly segmented and tandemly arranged, occupying almost half of hindbody. The short uterus contained a relatively small number of unembryonated eggs sized 130-140×85-96 µm. The partial sequence of 18S rRNA of this fluke was consistent with Alaria alata. Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the diplostomid flukes recovered from the small intestine of Korean raccoon dogs were identified as A. alata (Digenea: Diplostomidae).

Total 513 heterophyid flukes were collected from a carcass of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. With morphological and molecular characteristics, the flukes were identified to Cryptocotyle lata. The adult C. lata were minute, transparent, pentagonal, 522 µm long by 425 µm wide. Ceca extended into post-testicular region. Ventrogenital sac elliptical, 79 µm by 87 µm with genital pore and ventral sucker. Two testes semielliptical and slightly lobed, located in the posterior region, right testis 173 µm by 155 µm, left testis 130 µm by 134 µm. In a phylogenetic tree, the fluke specimen of this study was grouped with C. lata divergent from Cryptocotyle lingua. We report here N. procyonoides koreensis first as a natural definitive host of C. lata.