First detection of Trichinella nativa in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia.

Trichinella spp. is the zoonotic agent that causes trichinellosis in humans. It is traditionally associated mainly with undercooked meat from susceptible species such as domestic and wild pigs and other wild animals containing Trichinella larvae. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and species distribution of Trichinella spp. in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia during the 2020-2021 hunting season. Six hundred and eighty red fox samples were examined and the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae was confirmed in six cases (0.8 %). Using multiplex PCR, T. britovi was detected in five cases and T. nativa in one case. The occurrence of T. nativa on the southern side of the Alps is of great epidemiological importance and raises very important public health issues.