In areas where infection is common carcasses are also inspected for Trichinella spiralis larvae. Thorough cooking and freezing will kill the infective stages of most parasites. Wearing shoes, thus stopping the larvae burrowing through the skin can prevent hookworm infections. Window screens and bed nets prevent mosquito bites. There has been a lot of interest in using bed nets impregnated with insecticide.
Insect repellents are another method of avoiding infection.
Ointments have been produced to try and prevent infection by hookworm larvae and by schistosome cercariae. Avoiding schistosome-contaminated water is another major factor as is education and a general increase in the standard of living. If exposure to infection is inevitable, killing the parasite soon after entry into the host represents a sensible approach to control. There are two options available, chemoprophylaxis or vaccination. Long-term drug treatment is routine in the control of malaria.