A hidden danger may be lurking where kids play. Parasites called roundworms are being spread to playgrounds, yards, and parks by stray dogs and cats. And they are causing people to get sick.
All parasites require one or more hosts to survive. Toxocara roundworms, for example, live and reproduce in the intestines of dogs and cats. They spread their eggs by hitching a ride on the animals’ feces. If someone touches dirt contaminated with infected feces, they may accidentally ingest the eggs. Then, when the worms hatch, the parasites make their way to the person’s lungs, liver, eyes, and brain. Asthma, liver problems, blindness, and even developmental disorders may result.
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 16 million people in the U.S. have been infected with Toxocara. What are the best ways to avoid contracting the parasite? Wash your hands, treat pets for roundworm, and avoid animal droppings, says Peter Hotez, a pediatrician at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas.