Contaminación por helmintos en espacios públicos de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina Contamination by helminths in public places of the province of Chubut, Argentina

Canine-borne helminthiases constitute a worldwide problem. Some of these parasites can originate serious pathologies in humans. Given the potential existence of these zoonoses in Argentina, horizontal surveys on contamination degree evaluated as faeces per hectare and on parasite prevelence in faeces were carried out in six localities of the Province of Chubut. The behaviour of people visiting public places was also analyzed qualitatively. All of the survey sites were contaminated with faeces and with some parasitic forms. Contamination degrees ranged from 32 to 147 faeces/ha. Toxocara sp. (17.4%), Strongyloides sp. (5.1%), and Ancylostoma. sp (5.6%) were the main genera among other parasites detected. As a whole, the analysis revealed that contamintion degree, prevalence and human behaviuor in relation to the exposure to the parasite would be the main factors to be taken into account in formulating control measures. Transmission risk patterns in Chubut were not homogenous; therefore, studies and control strategies should be devised and implemented at the local scale.