Fascioloides magna infection in white-tailed deer of southeastern United States
Pursglove, S.R.; Prestwood, A.K.; Ridgeway, T.R.; Hayes, F.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 171(9): 936-938
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 924869 Document Number: 113326
Livers of 4023 Odocoileus virginianus from 13 southeastern states were examined for flukes; 514 (12.8%) harboured Fascioloides magna. Other species of liver flukes were not found, encompassing 56 counties in 9 states. As many as 125 flukes were recovered from a single deer. Although F. magna was widely distributed throughout southeastern United States, most enzootic areas were confined to the coastal plain physiographic province. Since deer serve as reservoirs for F. magna infections in domestic livestock, it was concluded that every precaution should be exercised to prevent introduction of liver flukes into areas now free of this helminth.