Keeping Pets And Their People Healthy (NAPSA)—A pet’s health is an important consideration for families—and not just because they care about their four-legged friend. Although rare, it is possible for pets to pass certain diseases to humans. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates between 1 and 3 million people are zoonotically infected (meaning madeill by their pets) each year in the U.S. Additionally, as many as 4 to 20 percent of children in America contract roundwormsfrom their pets each year. Roundworm infection can result in devastating diseases, including major organ damage and blindness. The good news is that these types of illnesses are completely I : A € -~ . % @ 6 DW Using a convenient, monthly oral parasite preventive year-round can help children avoid contracting diseases. People with weakened im- preventable. Experts at www. erowingupwithpets.com, a Web site dedicated to pet and family mune systems should take special precautions, including neverletting is with basic hygiene. Kids should animal feces and never handling an animal that has diarrhea. Don't let your pet drink from health, say the best place to start be taught to wash their hands after playing with pets, after play- ing outdoors and before eating. The site offers these additional tips: Take your pet to the veterinarian for checkups as recommended, use a convenient, monthly oral pet parasite preven- tive year-round and keep up with all vaccinations recommendedfor the area. e Wash your hands with soap and running water if you have comeinto contact with petfeces. e If your dog bites you, wash the area right away with soap and water. Wash your hands after han- dling your pet—especially before eating or preparing food. pets lick them on the face or on an open cut or wound, never touching toilet bowls or eat feces. Protective Measures You can also reduce the risk of zoonotic infection by keeping your family’s and pet’s indoor and outdoor environments clean: e Remove yourpet’s fecal matter from your lawn or surrounding outdoor environment daily. Feces can be bagged and put in the trash, burned or flushed down a toilet. Cover your children’s sand- boxes when notin use. Use appropriate methodsto reduce mosquito populations in your outdoor environment. For more information andtips, visit Www.growingupwithpets.com.
