Practising good hygiene can help prevent toxocariasis.
Some of the steps you can take are listed below.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling pets or coming into contact with soil or sand.
- Teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs or cats, after playing outdoors and before eating.
- Wash food that may have come into contact with soil.
- Don't allow children to play in areas that are covered in dog or cat faeces.
- Teach children that it's dangerous to eat dirt or soil.
Pet owners
Parents and children should be aware of the dangers associated with puppies, kittens and older dogs and cats.
Many puppies are infested with the roundworm parasites shortly after birth. Puppies and kittens require de-worming with anti-worm medicine. This should be given at two, three, four and eight weeks after birth, twice more between three and six months of age, and then on one final occasion. Pregnant bitches should be treated with the same medicine. See your vet for specific advice on how to treat your pet.
Clean your pet's living area at least once a week. Faeces should be either buried or bagged and disposed of in the dustbin.
Toxocara eggs can survive for many years in soil or sand, so all dog faeces should be collected and destroyed. Pets should be kept away from children's sandpits, which should be kept covered when not in use.
Some areas within public parks in the UK have been set aside as designated dog exercise areas. Dog owners should ensure that their dogs use these areas to minimise the risk of other park users getting a toxocariasis infection.
