Pet Waste. Roundworms can cause disease in humans if we unknowingly eat the microscopic eggs that infected cats and dogs shed in their feces. If stools are not picked up by owners, any parasite eggs present will disperse in grass and soil as the stool decays.
Should I be worried about getting worms from my cat?
Only intestinal parasites post any inherent risk to humans, which means that you don't have to worry about getting heartworms from your cat. The reason why intestinal worms can infect humans is that they are passed through a cat's feces.
How likely is it to get worms from your cat?
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.”
What happens if a human gets worms from a cat?
Feline roundworms can infect humans, especially children If accidentally ingested, the worms can migrate to organs such as the liver, lungs, brain or eyes, where the human body generates an immune response to try to wall them off and prevent them from moving any further.
Can humans get worms from cats with worms?
If my dog or cat has intestinal worms, how can these parasites infect humans? Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite of pets and the most likely to be transmitted to humans. Humans can accidentally ingest infective worm eggs that have been passed through the pet's feces and left in the environment.
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