The hidden dangers of fouling
6:01am Friday 12th March 2010 in News
AS well as being unsightly and unpleasant, dog mess can occasionally lead to toxocariasis in humans which can cause serious illness and even blindness.
Toxocariasis is an infection of the roundworm toxocara canis.
The eggs of the parasite can be found in soil or sand contaminated with faeces and if swallowed, result in infection that lasts between six and 24 months.
Symptoms include eye disorders, vague ache, dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.
The eggs are often ingested when passed to the mouth by the hands, but this can also occur through contact with dogs or inanimate objects including the wheels of toys and the soles of shoes.
Infected soil samples are often found in play areas and, as a result, toxocariasis most commonly affects children between 18 months and five years.
According to research carried out by Keep Britain Tidy, of more than 19,000 sites dog fouling was present in over more than seven per cent of them.
