Certified in Public Health (CPH) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A key characteristic of the Toxocara canis parasite is its transmission primarily through contaminated soil. Toxocara canis is the roundworm commonly found in dogs, and its eggs can be shed in dog feces, contaminating the environment, particularly the soil. When humans, especially children, come into contact with this contaminated soil and inadvertently ingest the eggs, they can become infected. This zoonotic transmission is a significant public health concern, as Toxocara canis can lead to conditions such as visceral larva migrans in humans, which is marked by an inflammatory response and various organ damage due to the migrating larvae.

The other options pertain to different pathogens and conditions that are not associated with Toxocara canis. For instance, neurocysticercosis is caused by the larval cyst of the Taenia solium tapeworm, not Toxocara canis. Chagas disease is primarily caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite transmitted by triatomine bugs, and viral hepatitis relates to infection with various viruses, such as hepatitis A, B, or C – none of which involve Toxocara canis. Thus, recognizing the mode of transmission through contaminated