Roundworms are very common in the UK, and this means that your cat can be at risk of picking up worms whenever you head outside. It is estimated that a quarter of cats in the UK are currently infected!
How common is it to get roundworms from your cat?
Though very rare, roundworms can cause a disease in people called toxocariasis. Though humans cannot get roundworms from cats directly, people can accidentally ingest roundworm eggs — for example, if they touch contaminated soil or feces and do not wash their hands thoroughly afterward.
Can you get roundworms in the UK?
Some types of worms can infect people. Some can be caught in the UK and others are only caught abroad. Most worm infections are not serious and can be easily treated with medicine.
Can you catch worms from cats UK?
It's very rare for humans to catch worms from a cat, but it does occasionally happen. It's most common in young children who have been playing in areas where cats have toileted. Cat's worms can cause illness in humans by lodging in organs such as the eyes, liver, heart and brain.
How common are roundworms?
How common are roundworms? Hundreds of millions of people around the world are infected with roundworms at any given time. But many of these parasites are uncommon in the United States. Americans may come into contact with them when traveling to certain countries.
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