More than half of South Korean pet owners are unaware that they could contract parasitic infections from their dogs and cats. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — More than half of South Korean pet owners are unaware that they could contract parasitic infections from their dogs and cats, according to a new government survey, highlighting a significant public health knowledge gap amidst rapidly growing pet ownership.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) found that while 85.8% of pet owners recognize the importance of parasite prevention for human health, 51.5% were unaware that parasites like roundworms and toxoplasma could be transmitted from pets to humans.
The survey, conducted in October by Embrain Consulting, included 604 pet owners, with dogs (67.4%) and cats (32.8%) being the most common pets.
Dog roundworm infections, which typically occur through consuming raw animal liver but can also spread through soil contact, can cause serious conditions including liver disease, stroke, and spinal paralysis. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, can be contracted when handling cat litter with unwashed hands or consuming undercooked meat from pigs, sheep, or deer.
Despite limited understanding of zoonotic infections, 82% of respondents reported reducing parasite risk by keeping their pets indoors. However, only 61.4% regularly administered anti-parasitic medications to their pets.
The study revealed a preference for simpler prevention methods, with 62.6% focusing on bathing and hygiene management, while fewer opted for regular deworming (49.3%) or preventive medication (38.9%). Less than half (45.7%) had ever tested their pets for parasitic infections.
“The low rate of preventive medication use, at just 38.9%, indicates a need to improve awareness about internal parasite prevention,” researchers noted. “It’s crucial to educate the public that preventive medication is more effective than basic hygiene practices alone.”
The research team recommended creating guidebooks for first-time pet owners and suggested policy changes to mandate annual parasite prevention records as part of the pet registration system.
A KDCA official noted that while direct transmission cases are relatively rare in South Korea, where pets are primarily kept indoors, the agency plans to increase public awareness about zoonotic infection risks given the knowledge gap revealed by the survey.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
