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severe cases, blindness or even death. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), thousands of patients in the United States are infected with roundworms every year and an estimated 750 of those will end up with vision problems ranging from minor to blindness.
Parasites are transmieted to people by oral ingestion of a parasite’s eggs, hookworm larvae that penetrate the skin or accidentally ingesting a flea infected with tapeworm parasites. Most contamination occurs when people put their unwashed hands to their mouths after making contact with another infected animal or environment, so you can see why there is a preponderance of children in the reported cases. The sandbox is a good place for many of them to hide out.
Parasite eggs are too small to be seen by the nake eye but they may be all around us on our pets, contaminated soil, in the grassy yards, and all manner of other places.
Even vegetables growing close to the ground such as strawberries and carrots can be contaminated if not carefully washed before ingesting them.
So, keep your hands clean, your vegetables properly washed, and follow normal hygiene practices for good health.
It’s important to note that parasites are NOT transmitted from simply having normal contact with your pet or pets!
- Ways to prevent infection:
- Deworm your dog on a regular schedule as recommended by your vet.
- Wash your hands often, especially after handling waste product from your pets.
- Remove pet waste from your yard 2 to 3 times a week, daily if possible.
- Wash all vegetables and fruits before eating them.
- Keep your pets free of fleas. Inspect them often.
- Do not allow children to go barefoot in any areas where they may be animal feces.
- Clean cat litter boxes daily and wash hands afterward.
- Do not drink water from streams or other sources that could be contaminated with animal feces.
- Keep your pets clean and healthy.
Regular deworming is the best way to prevent parasitic diseases and their transmission from pets to people. Frequent deworming is crucial for newborn puppies and kittens because they can become seriously ill from the parasites.
So please, see your veterinarian often, on schedule, and follow all the advice you get for parasite protection. Your local vet is your best source of information.
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