Human infection from pig parasites is rare in Canada, even among pig producers and their families. However, some parasites may represent a public health risk if poor manure handling practices result in heavy watershed contamination. Let's look at some of the main sources of possible infection. This parasite can infect humans when heavily infected pig manure is handled without taking sanitary precautions such as hand washing. In Canada, cases have occurred when toddlers handled pig manure in gardens.
Infection usually produces no symptoms but can sometimes produce illness.
Pig roundworm infection is rare in Canada, even in those people who routinely handle pigs and manure, such as farmers, their families and veterinarians. In other countries with more concentrated pig populations, such as the Netherlands, there is little evidence that Ascaris suum infection is a public health problem. Roundworms are easily controlled in the barn through medication and by good sanitation. This parasite is common in livestock, wildlife and pets. Giardia can cause diarrhea and illness in humans, which can last several days or weeks.