Ocular dirofilariasis after the Valencia floods "DANA" 2024. A case report: From eyelid to conjunctiva.

Human Dirofilaria infection is increasingly reported in Europe, driven by rising temperatures and the expansion of ecological niches suitable for its mosquito vectors. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with ocular involvement after volunteering during the clean-up following the October 2024 DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) floods in Valencia, Spain. The nematode was initially observed in the upper eyelid, later migrating to the subconjunctival space and ultimately forming an infrapalpebral subcutaneous nodule. We highlight the diagnostic challenge posed by the parasite's continuous migration, which hindered its visualization during examinations and therefore delayed its isolation and definitive identification.