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One way of acquiring a perspective on this question is to
imagine an average-sized class of school children. It is likely
that three, that is about 10%, of them have suffered ill-health
due to toxocariasis. In a school of 1000 pupils it is likely
that 40 of them will have identifiable toxocaral infestation
and some performance impairment as a result. Of all children
in the country, an estimated 200 a year will suffer 'visual
impairment' due to toxocariasis. Some of those will lose the
sight of one eye.
It has been argued that there are worse and more prevalent
infectious diseases. On the other hand, sufferers from one
of the acute forms of toxocariasis and their parents and relatives,
would not be so dismissive, and would seem to have good reason
to insist that something should be done to eliminate it. What
though, are the factors contributing to the risk, even if
it is 'small'? The significant feature of toxocariasis is
that owners and non-dog-owners are both susceptible, but the
risk is not evenly spread. It is said that in Britain there
seems to be no difference between towns and country dwellers,
quite possibly because the distinction between urban and rural
is not so tangible as in some countries.
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