Editing Toxocariasis (section)

==Preventions==
Actively involving veterinarians and pet owners is important for controlling the transmission of ''Toxocara'' from pets to humans. A group very actively involved in promoting a reduction of infections in dogs in the United States is the [[Companion Animal Parasite Council|Companion Animal Parasite Council -- CAPC]].  Since pregnant or lactating dogs and cats and their offspring have the highest, active parasitic load, these animals should be placed on a deworming program.<ref name="CDC3"/><ref name="Holland_2006"/><ref name="CDC1"/> Pet feces should be picked up and disposed of or buried, as they may contain ''Toxocara'' eggs.<ref name="CDC3"/> Practicing this measure in public areas, such as parks and beaches, is especially essential for decreasing transmission.<ref name="Markell_2006"/><ref name="Despommier"/> Up to 20% of soil samples of U.S. playgrounds have found roundworm eggs.<ref name="Cheprasov">{{cite journal | first = Artem | last = Cheprasov | name-list-style = vanc | date = 2012 | title = Death at the Playground | journal = Guru Magazine | volume = 11 | pages = 59–61 }}</ref> Also, sandboxes should be covered when not in use to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.  Hand washing before eating and after playing with pets, as well as after handling dirt will reduce the chances of ingesting ''Toxocara'' eggs.<ref name="Markell_2006"/><ref name="CDC3"/><ref name="Holland_2006"/> Washing all fruits and vegetables, keeping pets out of gardens and thoroughly cooking meats can also prevent transmission.<ref name="Holland_2006"/> Finally, teaching children not to place nonfood items, especially dirt, in their mouths will drastically reduce the chances of infection.<ref name="CDC3"/>

Toxocariasis has been named one of the neglected diseases of U.S. poverty, because of its prevalence in Appalachia, the southern U.S., inner city settings, and minority populations.<ref name="Hotez">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hotez PJ | title = Neglected infections of poverty in the United States of America | journal = PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases | volume = 2 | issue = 6 | pages = e256 | date = June 2008 | pmid = 18575621 | pmc = 2430531 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000256 | veditors = Brooker S }}</ref> Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine available or under development.<ref name="CDC2"/><ref name="Hotez"/> However, the mitochondrial genomes of both ''T. cati'' and ''T. canis'' have recently been sequenced, which could lead to breakthroughs in treatment and prevention.<ref name="pmid18482460">{{cite journal | vauthors = Li MW, Lin RQ, Song HQ, Wu XY, Zhu XQ | title = The complete mitochondrial genomes for three Toxocara species of human and animal health significance | journal = BMC Genomics | volume = 9 | pages = 224 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18482460 | pmc = 2396643 | doi = 10.1186/1471-2164-9-224 }}</ref>