An Australian dog diagnosed with an exotic tick-borne infection: should Australia still be considered free from Hepatozoon canis?

[Display omitted] •Hepatozoon canis was discovered in a dog for the first time in Australia.•The vector competence of Ixodes holocyclus for H. canis is unknown.•The H. canis sequence represents a novel genotype.•Possible sources of acquisition are discussed. Recent molecular and sero-surveillance studies of the tick-borne pathogen Hepatozoon canis have identified new hosts, potential vector species, and have revealed that H. canis is more widespread than previously thought. We report the first diagnosed case of canine hepatozoonosis in Australia from a Maremma Sheepdog in Sarina, Queensland. Hepatozoon canis was detected with blood smear examination and 18S rRNA sequencing. It is unknown when or how the organism was introduced into Australia, which raises questions about border biosecurity policies and the H. canis infection status of its potential vectors and hosts in Australia. Surveillance for this pathogen is required to determine whether H. canis has established in Australia.