PREVALENCE OF TOXOCARA SPP EGGS IN SANDPITS OF PARKS IN OSAKA CITY, JAPAN, WITH NOTES ON THE PREVENTION OF EGG CONTAMINATION BY FENCE CONSTRUCTION

Toxocara spp. eggs were detected from 30 (75%) out of 40 sandpits of p arks, in Osaka city. This prevalence was higher compared to those repo rted other areas of Japan. Since we examined a large quantity of sampl e, this could have resulted to higher prevalence. The number of eggs r ecovered decreased following fence construction around sandpits, but i t did not sufficiently prevent the contamination of eggs. Improvement of fence design and education of sandpit users are necessary when cont emplating fence construction around sandpits as a measure against cont amination with Toxocara spp. eggs.