On Jan. 7, 2025, scientists at The University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Sydney announced they had identified widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers which are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dogs. The canine hookworms are becoming increasingly resistant to drugs across Australia, according to the research.

Hookworms are parasitic worms that infect roughly 406 – 480 million people globally. The name comes from the hook-like shape of its head. The larvae (immature worms) and adult worms live in a person’s small intestines. A person infected with hookworm passes the eggs in their feces (poop). People get hookworm infection by walking barefoot on or consuming contaminated soil.

Dr. Swaid Abdullah from UQ’s School of Veterinary Science said almost 70 per cent of the hookworm samples studied showed genetic mutations that can cause drug resistance.

The study team used advanced parasitological diagnostics to examine samples from more than 100 animals in Australia and New Zealand. The results showed resistance was spreading through hookworm species including the northern hookworm, which had previously been thought to be unaffected.

The research was published in the International Journal of Parasitology.