People can become infected with the same organism. This underscores the importance of restricting access to hamsters and their enclosures by very young children. All such encounters should be carefully monitored. Hamster owners suspicious of this parasite problem should submit a fecal sample to a veterinarian for analysis. Treatment can be instituted by the veterinarian.
Pinworms are a less common intestinal parasitism of hamsters.
These extremely tiny worms reside within the large intestines and usually cause no signs at all. Pinworm infections can be diagnosed by a veterinarian by microscopic examination of the feces. Pinworm eggs passing from the anus of the hamster sometimes cause intense itching in this area. A veterinarian may be able to detect the presence of pinworm eggs by pressing cellophane tape to this area and examining it under the microscope. Pinworms of hamsters do not cause disease in people.