Worm type

Symptoms

Route of Infection

Toxocara canis

Visual problems including blindness (retinal disease), Damage to liver and central nervous system

Ingestion of infective eggs - not washing hands after playing in the garden/park (Ingestion of infective larvae passed straight through suckling puppies)

Hookworm

Skin irritation due to hookworm larvae penetrating the skin.

Contaminated sandpits (children); warm, moist beaches, and other places where people lie on the ground

Echinococcus granulosus

Breathing problems caused by cysts forming in the lungs. Distended abdomen caused by cysts in the liver. Danger of death due to shock if cyst bursts.

Eating unwashed vegetables; not washing hands after gardening etc.

Echinococcus multilocularis

Cysts grow into the liver and destroy it much like a malignant tumour. Infection is usually fatal

Eating unwashed fruit and vegetables from areas that foxes frequent (can be gardens due to suburban foxes) (Fur trappers in North America can be infected when pelting animals.)