How are people infected with animal parasites?
People, especially children, can be exposed to animal parasites when they work or play in areas contaminated with parasite eggs – contaminated soil in sandboxes or the garden. Children are often less careful about hygiene, more likely to put dirty hands in their mouth and often play in dirt, grass or sand. Parasite eggs can’t be seen by the naked eye, but are present anywhere stools from an infected animal are found – cats, dogs and some wild animals. Sometimes fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries and carrots, growing close to the ground are also contaminated. If not carefully washed, they can also be a source of human infection.
