Territorial expansion and parasitic zoonoses: the pampas gray fox in Argentina as a case study and its educational potential for prevention

Urban expansion into natural habitats increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, particularly through interactions with the Pampas gray fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), a widespread and ecologically significant wild canid in Argentina. The study highlights that habitat fragmentation, land-use changes, and human encroachment facilitate closer contact between humans and native wildlife, creating conditions for pathogen exposure. Research demonstrates that Pampas gray foxes harbor multiple helminths and protozoa, including Neospora caninum, which poses economic risks to livestock and potential public health threats. The study emphasizes the need for One Health education to prevent zoonotic transmission, advocating for integrated approaches that address human-animal interactions in rural, peri-urban, and urban settings while promoting conservation through policy changes like banning poisons and improving waste management.

Lampert, D. A., & Russo, M. (2026). Territorial expansion and parasitic zoonoses: the pampas gray fox in Argentina as a case study and its educational potential for prevention. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1896506