More than half of pet owners in Korea are unaware that humans can contract parasites directly from pets, a recent survey led by a government agency showed Sunday.
Some 51.5 percent of the 604 respondents answered that they did not know a parasite inside a pet could transfer to a human, according to an October survey conducted by research firm Embrain Consulting and commissioned by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Toxoplasma gondii and toxocara canis, parasites that commonly infect dogs, can also affect humans. The symptoms and severity of these animal-to-human diseases vary, but could potentially lead to serious illnesses including paralysis and liver abscess.
The survey showed that despite the apparent lack of awareness concerning anthropozoonosis -- a disease transmissible from animals to humans and vice versa -- 85.8 percent of the respondents said preventing parasites in pets is important for people's health. About 82 percent said their pets spend most of their time indoors, minimizing the risk of infection.
While pet owners were aware of parasite infection risks, less than half opted to use medication prevention infection. When asked how they prevent pet parasitic infection, 62.6 percent of all respondents said they bathe and clean their pets, 49.3 percent said they regularly give anthelmintics and 38.9 percent said they have used other medications to prevent infection.
Only 45.7 percent said they checked their pets to see if they were infected.
The researchers noted that the authorities must raise awareness that medication is a far more effective measure to fight parasitic infection in pets, urging the need for a guideline for pet owners about the importance of antiparasitics and the frequency of tests and relevant medication.
The KDCA said that the recent survey shows the lack of public awareness of anthropozoonosis; it plans to inform the public of the prevalence of and prevention methods for such infections.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
