Posted on 04/25/2009 9:03:33 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows
About 14 percent of the U.S. population is infected with Toxocara, or internal roundworms, contracted from dogs and cats. That's according to the results of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study announced at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Philadelphia.
The CDC study shows the transmission of Toxocara from dogs and cats to people is most common in young children and youth under age 20, and more common in non-Hispanic Blacks than in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites of all age groups. It is highest in lower socioeconomic and less-educated populations. All children, however, are more susceptible to infection given their propensity to play in and sometimes eat contaminated soil.
Infections are acquired by accidental ingestion of Toxocara eggs found in environments contaminated with feces of infected dogs and cats. This includes play areas and sandboxes.
"The results of this study demonstrate that Toxocara infection in the United States is more widespread and common than previously understood," said Peter Schantz, VMD, PhD, an epidemiologist in the Division of Parasitic Diseases at the CDC and a founding board member of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). "Although most persons infected with Toxocara have no apparent symptoms, this infectious agent is capable of causing blindness and other serious systemic illness, which makes it a public health issue."
While rare, the visual impairment most often affects children. Since toxocariasis is not a reportable infection, true numbers of cases of visual impairment and other syndromes are not known, according to Schantz.
The nonprofit CAPC was formed to educate pet owners about zoonotic disease and steps they can take to virtually eliminate the risk of pets making people sick.
"The CAPC recommends that pet owners administer year-round preventive medicines that control internal and external parasites -- such as roundworms, heartworm, fleas and ticks -- for the life of their dog or cat no matter where they live," said Michael Paul, DVM, executive director of the CAPC. "If you prevent parasitic infections in companion animals, you greatly reduce the chances of zoonotic transmission to people."
The American Animal Hospital Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Schantz of the CDC all endorse the CAPC guidelines that call for year-round parasite control in companion animals to protect both pets and people from zoonotic disease. Parasite control today is simple, safe and effective. Treating dogs and cats for parasites with a monthly product is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep pets healthy and eliminate related health risks to humans.
Despite the availability of effective treatments to prevent them, parasites -- some deadly -- remain a common fact of life for dogs and cats. Most companion animals have the potential for exposure to parasites all year long. Experts agree there is a year-round threat in all regions of the country, even those that experience below-freezing temperatures, since parasites such as fleas and ticks thrive inside homes regardless of weather conditions outdoors.
Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. funded the CDC toxocara study.
About the CAPC
The nonprofit CAPC (http://www.petsandparasites.org) is an independent council of veterinarians and other animal health care professionals established to create guidelines for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. It brings together broad expertise in parasitology, internal medicine, public health, veterinary law, private practice and association leadership
About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
As the sentinel for the health of people in the United States and throughout the world, CDC (http://www.cdc.gov) strives to protect people's health and safety, provide reliable health information, and improve health through strong partnerships. For more information on Toxocara infection, visit.
Companion Animal Parasite Council http://www.petsandparasites.org
When I was a kid we got wormed right along with the cats and dogs.
You can order Vermox without a prescription from a Canadian pharmacy. One pill kills almost all parasites. If you eat raw veggies or have close contact with animals, its a good idea to treat yourself once/yr.
We ate a lot of dirt, it was just part of the day. I wonder if someone from an urban environment can even guess how different life was in small towns and rural areas, in the 40s and 50s. I believe I had a great childhood, and don't know how I could have coped with an urban upbringing. Even now, when I must go to a big city, I'm planning my escape long before I get there.
I might even have a few worms now, LOL. They don't eat much!
Thread about Counterfeit Pesticides for cats and dogs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2236124/posts
We had cats and dogs, no litter boxes. The cats dug holes in the same ground we walked around on.
Swam in damned up creeks, and played baseball in the local fire department parking lot with whoever showed up to play. Kids of all ages played ball together.
What a great time to grow up.
I'm not going to ask about spaying and neutering.
Now I’m seeing the dog as the American taxpayer, and the worm as an 0bama voter...
I pinged that one, thanks.
let me see now...
1. CDC Reports prevalence of worms transmitted by dogs and cats to humans.
2. Global warming is going to kill everything.
3. Flu virus on the rampage...will kill all humans.
4. Breathing causes CO2 which will kill the planet.
5. Methane gas from animals to include humans will also kill the planet.
Wolf, wolf, wolf.
Ping
See the keywords.
This is ripe for new regulations and taxation. There will be severe fines for those who do not worm their animals as required by law. There will be a worm tax as well.
There will be a worm tax as well.
Don’t forget to get your kids wormed before school starts.
Some people desparate to lose weight ingest tape worms and then take meds when they reach their desired size. Ewww!
P.S.
To clarify, yes we do/can get intestinal parasites from our pets and visa versa too.
Wait until CDC hears about my case. They are going to go bonkers and send out the marines to my house:
I have a kitty cat that has a medical problem, which I’m not going into. The medication she is on and will be on forever lowers her defenses. Hence, she develops ringworm though she never ever goes out doors. Neither do the rest of my cats. She is bathed twice a week with 3 types of medication, which puts the ringworm under control. For the past three weeks, we had to suspend her baths for other reasons. (They have been resumed again.) In the mean time, her ringworm came back in force, and she passed it on to me (again). At least all I have to do is put a special ointment on those areas and it goes away.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.