Adults and children can become infected by accidentally swallowing dirt that has been contaminated with dog or cat feces that contain infectious Toxocara eggs. Although it is rare, people can also become infected from eating undercooked meat containing Toxocara larvae.
Can humans get worms from dogs symptoms?
Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.
How long can Toxocara canis survive in humans?
Then, they travel to other body parts, such as the liver, lungs, heart, brain, or muscles. The larvae don't grow into intestinal worms in humans as they do in dogs or cats. But they can live for months or even years in a human, and can damage whatever organ they have infected.
What are the chances of a human getting worms from a dog?
In most cases, a person has to ingest parasite-laden feces in order to contract worms from an animal. Good common sense and hygiene greatly reduces the risk, Weese said. “The risk is never zero,” Weese said, “but I'm not convinced it's any higher for a vet than someone that goes for a walk in the park.”
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