Researchers found Leishmania parasites in wild geckos on Mallorca. For dog owners and nature enthusiasts, these are important clues, but no cause for panic.
Leishmania Agents Found in Geckos — What This Means for Mallorca
A new study on Mallorca has detected various species of Leishmania parasites in wild geckos. This may sound dramatic, but for most people it's worth a closer look — especially for dog owners and everyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.
What was found?
The study examined 59 animals, mainly Tarentola mauritanica (Mauritanian Gecko). The figures are concrete: 26.5 % of adult animals carried Leishmania tarentolae, 8.2 % had Leishmania infantum, and in 6.1 % both species were present simultaneously. For the Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), no positive samples were found.
Therefore this is the first documented detection of these parasites in reptiles in Spain — a finding that researchers and veterinarians are watching closely.
Why is this important?
On the Balearic Islands, leishmaniasis in dogs is already endemic. Transmission occurs via sandflies, which have appeared in parts of Southern Europe since the 1980s, and whose spread may have been aided by warmer winters. In rare cases, humans can also become ill; for the general population the risk is modest.
The new study shows: Reptiles can serve as hosts for various Leishmania species — potentially influencing the transmission ecosystem. Whether and how strongly this changes infection levels in dogs or humans is still unclear and requires further research.
Practical tips for everyday life
I recently saw a small gecko on a house wall in Palma — pretty, helpful against mosquitoes, but please don't handle it unnecessarily. Dog owners should discuss protective measures with their veterinarian: regular preventive care, flea and mosquito protection, as well as vaccination and prophylaxis recommendations. And yes: if you touch them, wash your hands first. No reason to panic, but stay alert.
Researchers are already planning follow-up studies. Until then: inform, protect, and admire the small lizards from a distance.
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