Parasites are recorded from the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, from Cheongju, the Republic of Korea. A total of 5 road-killed squirrels were thoroughly examined for internal and external parasites from November 2011 to May 2014. Total 4 parasite species, including 1 tapeworm and 3 ectoparasite species were recovered. They were morphologically identified as Catenotaenia dendritica (Cestoda: Catenotaeniidae), Hirstionyssus sciurinus, Leptotrombidium pallidum, and Ceratophyllus (Monopsyllus) indages. Among them, C. dendritica and H. sciurinus are recorded for the first time in the Korean parasite fauna. In addition, the possibility that the red squirrel could act as a reservoir host for a zoonotic disease like tsutsugamushi disease with L. pallidum as its vector has been raised.
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Zoonotic Pathogens in Wildlife Traded in Markets for Human Consumption, Laos Pruksa Nawtaisong, Matthew T. Robinson, Khongsy Khammavong, Phonesavanh Milavong, Audrey Rachlin, Sabine Dittrich, Audrey Dubot-Pérès, Malavanh Vongsouvath, Paul F. Horwood, Philippe Dussart, Watthana Theppangna, Bounlom Douangngeum, Amanda E. Fine, Mathi Emerging Infectious Diseases.2022; 28(4): 860. CrossRef
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