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The Hidden Risks of Roundworm Infection

A testimonial by Jennifer Ronan
Boston, Massachusetts

A Mother’s Perspective On Zoonosis

I never imagined that taking Christopher to a neighborhood playground could make him sick. But 2 years ago, I learned that the most innocent of places can hold hidden dangers if you are unaware.

I was proud of the care I gave my son. We ate healthy foods and had yearly checkups, and I made sure Christopher’s vaccinations were current. At each visit to the pediatrician, he received a clean bill of health. The annual exam a few days after his fourth birthday was no different. “You have a healthy son,” the doctor told me. And he was—everything checked out perfectly. Since optometrists suggest that children have their first eye exam by age 4, I covered all our bases, and I took Christopher to Dr. David Milliken for his first eye exam a few weeks after his checkup.

That was the day our quiet world was shaken. I watched Dr. Milliken begin the exam, and within minutes it was evident to me that Christopher could not see out of his left eye. The optometrist then confirmed the devastating news that Christopher was, in fact, partially blind in his left eye.

Two days later, Christopher was diagnosed with toxocariasis by Dr. Tatsuo Hirose, one of the best retinal specialists in the country. He confirmed that Christopher had contracted ocular larva migrans, a serious health condition in which one or more roundworm larvae become trapped in the eye, causing a dense scar in the retina.

Dr. Hirose conducted a series of tests and performed an examination, but he wasn’t able to determine the exact source of disease transmission. Ben, our black Labrador, and Maggie, our yellow Lab, were eliminated as possible infection sources, as was our calico kitty, Amelia—all of our pets were on a heartworm preventive that controls and treats roundworm and hookworm. In addition, our dogs and cat never tested positive for the presence of worms during their annual checkups.

After many questions about our daily routines and Christopher’s play habits, the ophthalmologists concluded that Christopher had contracted ocular larva migrans from playing in a public sandbox or playground. It was very likely the park within our lakefront neighborhood in North Carolina, near the swim and tennis club where the kids used to hunt for Easter eggs and visit with Santa Claus. The park had a sandbox and swing set, and a safe green lawn for soccer games—but it was a place that could easily harbor roundworm-infected animal waste. We’ll probably never know the exact transmission mode, but the park seemed the likeliest source, given our habits and routine.

Not once, in all the hours Christopher and I spent building castles in the sandbox and playing ball in the park, did I consider this neighborhood play area— or other public places like school playgrounds, parks, and sandboxes—a potential hazard for our son. Parenting books taught us about protecting our children from fire hazards and household dangers, encouraged us to lock up poisonous cleaning solutions and to use safety caps on medicine bottles, and taught about normal hygiene to protect against spreading germs. But not one book mentioned the precautions to take when playing in a sandbox in a neighborhood park or in your own backyard. Before Christopher’s infection we’d heard of roundworms—and we knew that they could be transmitted from pets to people. But we didn’t know or even suspect the serious consequences of a zoonotic disease. Christopher’s experience changed all that. Now, our goal is to educate others about the dangers and the prevention of toxocariasis.

When we talk to people about toxocariasis, some say, “Roundworm infection is so rare. Why should we even focus on this topic?” But I think the answer is clear: Better-informed pet owners can help transform roundworm infection from a rare condition to a nonexistent condition.

Today, Christopher is a normal kindergartner, learning to write his letters and numbers, doing karate, and enjoying time with his family and friends. However, his lost vision will never be restored.

We are a pet-loving family, and Christopher’s experience didn’t change that. Our children have benefited enormously from the bonds they’ve formed with our pets and we wouldn’t change that for anything. But what we will change is our awareness of hidden dangers. We will be even more vigilant now in treating our pets for roundworms and hookworms.

I urge you as your veterinarian about the risks of these diseases and how to avoid transmission. Be aware of the dangers of zoonotic diseases and do all you can to protect your pets, yourselves, and others.

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