Original Research

A survey on environmental contamination of suburban parks and playgrounds in Harare, Zimbabwe, with canine helminths of zoonotic significance

S. Mukaratirwa, M. Taruvinga
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | Vol 70, No 3 | a770 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v70i3.770 | © 1999 S. Mukaratirwa, M. Taruvinga | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 July 1999 | Published: 12 July 1999

About the author(s)

S. Mukaratirwa,
M. Taruvinga,

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Abstract

In an attempt to assess the possible risk to humans of soil-transmitted canine helminths of of zoonotic significance, 161 faecal samples and 81 soil samples were collected from 6 public parks and playgrounds in Harare between March and June 1998 and examined for nematode ova. Of the 161 faecal samples collected, 17.4 % were positive for Ancylostoma sp. ova and 5.6 % were positive for T. canis ova. No other nematode species ova were found. Over 50 % of the faecal samples positive for Ancylostoma sp. ova were 'moist', and this suggests that the moisture content of faeces contributes to the development and survival of this parasite in the environment. Only 3 of the 81 soil samples collected were positive for T. canis. The low levels of contamination of public playgrounds and parks with T. canis ova suggests that environmental contamination might not be important in the aetiology of human toxocarosis in Harare.

Keywords

Dog; Soil; Suburban Parks And Play Grounds; Zimbabwe; Zoonotic Nematodes

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