Toxocariasis Fact Sheet

Toxocariasis Fact Sheet

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Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease in people caused by infection with a roundworm found in dogs or cats.

What is toxocariasis?

• Toxocariasis is an infection that can cause serious illness, including organ damage and eye disease.

Who can get toxocariasis?

Anyone. However, some people are at higher risk of infection, including:

• Children
• People who accidentally eat dirt
• Dog or cat owners

How does someone get toxocariasis?

• Dogs and cats infected with Toxocara shed Toxocara eggs in their feces
• People become infected by accidentally swallowing dirt that has been contaminated with dog or cat feces that contain Toxocara eggs
• Although it is rare, people can become infected from eating undercooked meat containing Toxocara larvae
• The disease is not spread by person-toperson contact like a cold or the flu

What are the symptoms?

• Many people do not have symptoms and do not ever get sick
• Some people (usually children) may get sick from the infection, and may have:
  • Fever along with damage to organs in their body, problems breathing, or stomach pain
  • Eye disease that causes vision problems, eye pain, or eye redness

What do I do if I think my child or I might have toxocariasis?

• You should see a healthcare provider who will examine you or your child. Your provider may take a sample of your blood for testing.

How do I prevent toxocariasis?

• Teach your kids to wash their hands after playing and not to eat dirt
• Cover sandboxes and restrict animalaccess to play areas
• Dispose of dog and cat feces promptly and wash your hands after handling pet waste
• Take your pets to the veterinarian to prevent infection with Toxocara. Your veterinarian can recommend a testing and treatment plan for deworming

For more information, please visit the toxocariasis website at www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxocariasis or contact the Parasitic Diseases Branch Public Inquiries desk at 404-718-4745, or parasites@cdc.gov