1- Dr Wiwanitkit


Iran J Arthropod-Borne Dis, 2011, 5(2): 1                                                              Wiwanitkit V: Dog Ear Mite Infestation: … 
 

1 

Letter to the Editor 

Dog Ear Mite Infestation: a Possible Problem in Public 
Health System 

 
 Wiwanitkit V 

 
 

Wiwanitkti House, Bangkhae, Bangkok Thailand 10160 
 
 
 

Editor, I read the recent publication on eat 
mite infestation from Thailand with a great 
interest (Maazi et al. 2010). Indeed, this is an 
important public health problem that can be 
easily forgotten. Otodectes can infect to the 
dog’s owner and this can be a forgotten 
zoonosis (Van de Heyning and Thienpont 
1977, Ugbomoiko et al. 2008). Based on this 
report, the source of infection is believed to 
be from Thailand. Indeed, in Thailand, there 
are many cases of accidental finding of 
Otodectes in human beings but it is under-
reported. The problem of control of dogs, 
hygiene in Thailand is still a challenge. 
Finally, these methods are suggested for 
control of the possible emerging of Otodec-
tes infection: a) legal control of dog, b) 
health education for dog’s owner, c) surveil-
lance on dog borne diseases including to 
otodectosis and d) promotion of awareness 
to the medical personnel on this forgotten 
problem. 
 

References 
Maazi N, Jamshidi SH, Hadadzadeh HR 

(2010) Ear mite infestation in four 
imported dogs from Thailand; a Case 
Report. Iran J Arthropod-borne Dis. 
4(2): 68– 71. 

Ugbomoiko US, Ariza L, Heukelbach J 
(2008) Parasites of importance for 
human health in Nigerian dogs: high 
prevalence and limited knowledge of 
pet owners. BMC Vet Res. 4: 49. 

Van de Heyning J, Thienpont D (1977) 
Otitis externa in man caused by the 
mite Otodectes cynotis. Laryngoscope. 
87(11): 1938– 1941.  

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corresponding author: Prof Dr Viroj Wiwanitkit, 
Email: professorviroj@hotmail.com