VLM, also known as Toxocariasis, is a disease caused by the larval stage of the parasites Toxoxara canis and to a lesser degree by Toxocara cati. These are intestinal parasites of dogs and cats, respectively. VLM is rarely reported in New York City, with only 3 cases reported in the past 10 years. VLM is present wherever dogs and cats are found and Toxocara eggs are able to survive. Toxocara eggs in feces of infected dogs and cats may contaminate the soil.
Eggs remain viable in the soil for many months.
Children become infected by directly eating dirt or indirectly by eating unwashed, raw vegetables. There is no direct person to person transmission. The larva causes damage to the abdominal organs or the eye. Cough, fever, wheezing, rash, inflammation of the liver, other abdominal, organs, and lymph glands. However, most infections are asymptomatic.