Abstract
Pollution by Toxocara eggs in public parks in Adachi-ku, Tokyo Prefecture, was investigated from August to November, 2016. In total, 420 playground sand samples were collected from 7 different play equipment areas of each of 5 public parks (A, B, C, D and E). Toxocara eggs were also investigated in 19 cat faecal samples collected from Park C from October to November 2016. Toxocara eggs were detected in samples from 3 parks (positive rate, 60%), and in 12 playground sand samples (2.9%) from these 3 parks. Toxocara eggs were found from largest to smallest quantities in the following order: benches, sandpits, flowerbeds, watering stations, slides, iron bars and swings. The mean egg count in the play equipment areas was 0.0016 (0.001–0.004) eggs/g sand. Toxocara eggs were also detected in 3 (15.8%) of 19 cat faecal specimens collected from Park C. These findings indicate that a risk of toxocariasis still exists in the public parks in the Senju region and that cats living in this area are associated with this risk. Disinfection of play equipment areas, administration of anthelmintics to cats, and hand hygiene after playing in the park remain important measures for the prevention of toxocariasis.
