Ascariasis

Report Ascariasis within 1 week to the local or regional health department or the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch (EAIDB) at 800-252-8239 or 512-776-7676.

Reports from healthcare providers and laboratories may be submitted using the EPI-2 2017 Initial Provider Disease Report Form.

• DSHS Epi Case Criteria - 2023 Epi Case Criteria Guide | ECCG (texas.gov)
• DSHS Laboratory Services - Laboratory Services Section - Testing Services | Texas DSHS
• CDC Soil Transmitted Helminths - http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sth/
• CDC Neglected Tropical Diseases - http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/ntd/index.html
• CDC DPDx – Laboratory Identification of Parasitic Diseases of Public Health Concern http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/index.html

Transmission is primarily via the fecal-oral route. Eggs are shed in an infected person’s feces but require exposure to a warm, moist, soil environment to mature and become infectious. Once the eggs have incubated in soil they can be transmitted via contaminated water, agriculture products, fingers, or other fomites. Human-to-human transmission of Ascaris species does not occur.

Most infections with Ascaris spp. are asymptomatic. Heavier infections may result in gastrointestinal issues, malnutrition, and/or intestinal obstruction. Severe infections in children may result in nutrient deficiencies leading to growth retardation and cognitive impairment. During larval migration through respiratory passages, acute transient pneumonitis and eosinophilia may occur. Adult worms may migrate under stressful conditions (fever, anesthesia etc.) which may lead to intestinal wall perforation, appendicitis, peritonitis, pancreatitis, cholangitis or biliary colic. In very rare instances, intestinal obstructions may cause gangrene and if untreated result in death.

The best method for prevention of ascariasis is proper disposal of human waste.  Avoiding the use of human waste-based fertilizer (night soil) will also decrease the risk of transmission. Thoroughly washing hands and all produce before cooking and eating is also highly recommended in order to prevent ingestion of parasite eggs.

Ascariasis became a reportable condition in 2016. The average annual case count from 2016 to 2020 is 12.8, ranging between 6-19 cases per year.