Contamination of Beach Sand by Cutaneous Larva Migrans in Rabat-Sale Area (Morocco) and their Health-Related Problems

Abstract

Environmental contamination by soil-transmitted helminths is a public health problem worldwide and has been well documented by several authors. Visceral larva migrans and cutaneous larva migrans are two examples of these soil-transmitted helminths caused by Ankylostoma. Unfortunately, limited studies have described the presence of such contamination in the saline soils of coastal beaches. Thus, the current study was carried out on the beaches of the Rabat-Sale region (Morocco) in the period between June and August 2014 to determine contamination by Ankylostoma larvae. 100 sand samples were taken and analyzed using the flotation technique. The frequency of the Ankylostom spp. in samples from public areas was 33%. At all collection sites, the presence of feces from stray dogs was observed. Generally, it is important to adopt measures to control breeding dogs, treat infected animals and provide health education for the population.