(NAPSI)-Diseases like West Nile virus may grab headlines but experts warn that much more common health threats exist at parks, playgrounds and even backyards. Parasites, like hookworms and roundworms, may be found in animal waste and may be transmitted to other dogs and to people. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 10,000 cases of roundworm infection annually.

So, how responsible are the approximately 45 million U.S. dog owners when it comes to scooping the poop in public areas and even their own yards? Not very. According to a new survey conducted by Merial, the makers of Heartgard® Plus:

• Nearly 30 percent of dog owners never scoop up after their pets; and
• 89 percent of pet owners allow their dogs to "take care of business" in their own yards but 16 percent report they never pick it up.

"Many pet owners are unaware that intestinal roundworms and hookworms can pose a serious health threat to their pets, much less family members," said Dr. Michael Rubinstein, DVM and clinic director of the Humane Society of New York. "To ensure that your dog is not the source of a parasitic infection, ask your veterinarian about a once monthly heartworm preventive which in addition to preventing heartworm will treat and control intestinal parasites."

Roundworm Infection

When infected dog droppings are left on the ground, the eggs of roundworms can linger in the soil for years. As a result, anyone who comes in contact with the soil also comes in contact with the infective eggs. Children run the greatest risk of serious rashes, damage to internal organs and partial blindness because they're prone to play at the park or playground and then put their hands in their mouths. But anyone playing in an open area could potentially be in danger.

Roundworm Transmission

Dogs get roundworms either from ingesting worm eggs off the ground or because the mother dog was infected and passed the worms to her puppies during her pregnancy. Adult roundworms then feed on partially digested food in the dog's intestine. Dogs infected with roundworms and hookworms can suffer from abdominal discomfort, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe weight loss or even sudden death. However, in most instances, dogs may be infected without showing any sign of illness.

Tips on Protection

• Always pick up after your pet to minimize the chance of infection.
• Visit Web sites like www.StopWorms.com to learn how to prevent pets from transmitting potentially dangerous worms to you and your family.
• Take your puppy or kitten to the veterinarian for deworming at an early age and adhere to a regular deworming schedule to prevent subsequent infection.
• Ask your veterinarian about Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel), a product that treats and controls both roundworms and hookworms as well as protects against heartworm disease.
• Clean up properly after pets, especially around the home and lawn. Use tools for clean up to avoid direct contact with pets' waste and wash hands immediately after cleanup.
• If you have a sandbox in your backyard, make sure to keep it covered to prevent neighborhood pets from using it as a litter box.
• As children are particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites, help them understand the dangers of ingesting or coming in contact with feces or potentially contaminated soil.
• Make sure to carry towelettes to wipe children's hands frequently after playing in a park, public sandbox, etc.

Reference: Wright, M. (n.d.). Experts Warn Pet Owners: Scoop the Poop!,
Retrieved July 12, 2008, from Mark Wright Communications, LLC
Web site: http://www.markwright.com/petpoop.htm