Parasitic infections from pets? More than half of South Koreans responded ”I didn't know”

A survey found that more than half of people are unaware of the fact that it is possible to contract parasites from companion animals such as dogs and cats.
On the 9th, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it had acquired research firm Mbrain Consulting Co., Ltd. in October last year.
According to the results of the survey, out of 604 respondents who answered that they live with pets, 51.5% answered that they were aware of the possibility of humans being infected by parasites from pets, such as roundworms and toxocara.
Dog roundworms are mainly transmitted to humans when they eat raw animal liver, but they can also enter the human body directly through soil. If the larvae of dog roundworms spread throughout the body, it can cause liver disease, cerebral infarction, etc.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasma gondii).
Gondii) is an infectious parasitic disease that occurs after people change their cat's floor mat.
It can occur when touching one's mouth with dirty hands or eating undercooked pork, lamb, or venison. Preventive medication is effective in preventing parasites, but it is also important to administer it to pets.
The percentage of people who regularly administered antiparasitic medication was relatively low at 61.4%. Looking at behaviors to prevent parasitic infections in pets, bathing and hygiene management (62.6%) was the most common.
This was followed by regular administration of anthelmintics (49.3%) and administration of preventive drugs (38.9%). Simply preventing parasites with a relatively simple method reduces awareness and implementation of drug use.
The response rate of those who had tested their pets for parasitic infections was also only 45.7%. In relation to this, the research team said, "The fact that only 38.9% of the animals had been administered preventive medicine is
"It is important to make the public aware that administering preventive medicine is a more effective prevention method than simple hygiene management," he said.
In addition, the ministry said, "We must provide a beginner's guide for families who are new to pet animals, explaining the administration of preventive medicine, the preventive cycle, and the need for testing."
"We need a policy that works in conjunction with the current law to require confirmation of annual preventive drug administration and systematize the provision of administration records at veterinary clinics."