TOCOCARA CANIS-ZOONOTIC DOG WORM
Type of worms in dogs that can infect human
Toxocara canis which is nematode is common in dogs
Common in puppies below 3 months, and in adult for undewormed dogs.
Transmission to human
Dogs shed eggs into the feces; which then contaminate the environment.
People ingest these eggs from the environment and become infected with these parasites, clinically producing larval migrans syndrome(Viscera and cutaneous larval migrans).
Cutaneous migration may involve eyes (Ocular larva migrans (OLM)) a condition common in children.
In the environment, eggs can remain viable for many months or years Thereferore, the envoronment is the major source of infective eggs to human.
Prevention
Good hygiene of contaminated property/environment and hand washing,
Prophylaxis of puppies at regular intervals at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks, and that all adult dogs be tested and treated as needed. This will need proper veterinary care of newborn puppies and immediate veterinary examination and treatment of all dogs/puppies