It is fairly well known that the dog roundworm can infect people, and children in particular, who typically pick up the worm eggs from contaminated soil, infected sandpits being a common source.
The worm larvae migrate through the body, and if they find themselves behind the retina, they can cause permanent damage to the child’s eyesight.
The risk can be minimised by worming your pets regularly, to prevent further contamination of the environment. You should always remember to use a poop-scoop, and dispose of your dog’s faeces responsibly.
Tapeworms can also damage human health. Not the common ones such as the mouse and flea tapeworms, but the tiny Echinococcus granulosus, which is mercifully fairly rare. Its eggs can remain viable in the soil for up to a year, and may infect vegetable and salads intended for human consumption. If they are swallowed, they can cause larval cysts in the liver, lungs or brain, which can be extremely serious – so always wash your salads carefully!
