Roundworm diseases in dogs, cats become more common in children: Paediatrician

Roundworm disease found in dogs and cats, which is known as 'toxocariasis', is getting more common among children these days, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

He told the Daily Mirror that, due to the pandemic situation children used to stay at home and they used to get into close contact with pets such as dogs and cats.

He stated that four children were infected with toxocariasis and treated at the LRH and the cases are higher than the previous week. There could be more cases which were not brought to the hospital, he said.

"Dog or cat worm eggs are excreted in their faeces (poop). "The eggs can last longer in the soil in the yards, parks, home gardens and playgrounds. These eggs could easily make their way into the children's digestive system through their mouths if there is dirt in their hands while playing with soil and take their food or snacks with uncleaned hands. This could also happen to kids who quite often put their hands in their mouths," Dr. Perera said.

The roundworm larvae infect the skin, internal organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, eyes, brain or muscles and cause severe symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite or weight loss, skin rashes, wheezing or breathing difficulties, seizures (fits), blurred or cloudy vision, usually only affecting one eye, which turns red and very painful.

Swallowed eggs reach the intestines, where they hatch into larvae. The larvae go through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. Then, they travel to other internal organs.

If one of the eyes is affected by toxocariasis, there's a risk of permanent vision loss. Although you may need an eye examination to look for parasites, if your eyes are affected. However, prompt treatment can reduce the chances of this phenomena. A blood test can usually detect toxocariasis.

Children with symptoms that affect the lungs, eyes, or other important organs may be treated with anti-parasite drugs that destroy the larvae.

Dr. Perera recommends practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and warm water after handling pets or coming into contact with sand or soil, as the best way to reduce the risk of developing toxocariasis. Also, he requested to regularly de-worm their pet cats and dogs and to dispose of their faeces immediately. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)