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[[Image:Dirofilaria immitus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Dirofilaria immitus'' - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]
Also known as: '''Heartworm Disease — Dirofilariasis
Also known as: '''Heartworm Disease — Dirofilariasis
Beware confusing with: ''[[Angiostrongylus vasorum]]'', [[angiostrongylosis]].
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
''Dirofilaria immitis'' is a nematode parasite that causes heartworm disease in dogs, cats and ferrets. Heartworm disease is transmitted by [[Culicidae|mosquito]] bites and there are more than 70 species of mosquito that are able to transmit infection; ''Aedes, Anopheles'' and ''Culex'' are the most common vector species. Heartworm disease has been reported in many countries with temperate climate and is particularly prevalent in the USA, Canada, and southern Europe. The introduction of the PETS travel scheme has increased the concern over Dirofilariasis in the UK.
''Dirofilaria immitis'' is a nematode parasite that causes heartworm disease in dogs, cats and ferrets. Heartworm disease is transmitted by [[Culicidae|mosquito]] bites and there are more than 70 species of mosquito that are able to transmit infection; ''Aedes, Anopheles'' and ''Culex'' are the most common vector species. Heartworm disease has been reported in many countries with temperate climate and is particularly prevalent in the USA, Canada, and southern Europe. The introduction of the PETS travel scheme has increased the concern over Dirofilariasis in the UK.