why are we humans not subject to regular deworming?
In: Biology
Public health professionals working for governments and non-governmental organizations have done wonders over the last hundred years or so to nearly eliminate worms for most people in the developed world.
Toilets!!! Toilets are so important. People who walk barefoot over muddy ground to use an outdoor pit-toilet are likely to get hookworm. People who go out at night to poop in the same fields or paddies where they grow their food can get worms. People in substandard prisons or refugee camps or living in the wake of a natural disaster are also vulnerable to worms.
Soap! Washing hands after changing a baby, after toileting, before meal prep, after handling raw meat, etc. So important.
Better monitoring and treatment of pets and livestock. Some parasitic worms can be transmitted from animals to humans when we handle their feces or eat their meat. But now we have networks of veterinarians and food inspectors constantly testing and reporting any nascent outbreak.
Restaurant inspections. Meats have to be cooked to certain temperatures to kill any worms. There all kinds of health standards meant that prevent worms and other pathogens.
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