arstechnica.com
A parasitic worm, Dirofilaria repens, is expanding its reach in Europe due to climate change and globalization. Found primarily in the Mediterranean, cases are emerging further eastward and northward. Researchers speculate the worms may be adapting to use humans as primary hosts, potentially increasing cases with microfilariae in the blood. While absent in the US, related worms exist, like D. tenuis found in raccoons, causing similar skin-crawling infections. Treatment involves surgical removal and medication, typically leading to full recovery. So far, Americans don’t have to worry about D. repens worms.
