A new study has found that park entrances have the highest concentration of infective roundworm eggs, posing potential health risks to both animals and humans. Researchers from Trinity College Dublin published their findings in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Parasitic roundworms from the Toxocara genus commonly infect dogs and cats, shedding eggs into the environment through feces. Humans can become infected if they accidentally ingest these eggs, though many experience no symptoms. In some cases, however, infection can lead to serious health issues, including eye disease. Toxocara infections are among the most widespread parasitic diseases worldwide.
While past studies have confirmed contamination in public parks, little research has focused on which specific areas within parks are most affected. To address this, the researchers analyzed soil samples from 12 parks across Dublin, testing locations such as entrances, playgrounds, sports field sidelines, and popular grassy areas.
Their findings revealed that park entrances had the highest concentration of Toxocara eggs, followed by playgrounds. Most of the detected eggs were from Toxocara canis, the common dog roundworm, and many were potentially infective.
Given these results, the researchers are calling for stronger preventive measures, particularly at park entrances and playgrounds. They recommend installing more waste disposal bins, signage, and other resources to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets. They also stress the importance of ongoing monitoring, using their study’s cost-effective testing method to track contamination levels over time.
“Park entrances had the most Toxocara eggs, and most of these likely came from dogs,” the researchers stated. “By providing signage, bins, and cleanup facilities in these locations, we could significantly reduce contamination. That’s the next step in our research.”
This study underscores the need for increased awareness and action to mitigate the spread of Toxocara, protecting both pets and people from potential infection.