Toxocara and public health

Abstract

Extract

In recent months, the public health risks of keeping dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats have been the subject of considerable publicity. Much of this has concerned the ascaridoid nematodes of these pets and their potential for causing visceral larva migrans in man. The “information” and comment that has appeared in newspapers and on television has contributed little to public understanding of the situation; indeed, much of it has been so highly emotive and frankly incorrect, that nothing but confusion could possibly result.