Toxocariasis as an emerging public health challenge: an update on One Health future and challenges

Toxocariasis is an important zoonotic disease caused by the migration of larvae of nematode parasites of the genus Toxocara, especially Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, in the human body. Toxocariasis is associated with global spread and multiple clinical complications, including visceral, ocular, and neurological larval migratory syndrome, and has, therefore, been considered a major global health concern. From the perspective of epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and challenges associated with toxocariasis, this review will provide a comprehensive overview of toxocariasis, highlighting how One Health is essential to promoting effective and sustainable community-based control strategies. As a result of the parasite eggs’ high resistance to the environment in deprived communities and communities in which stray dogs and cats are present, toxocariasis is primarily a disease in children. According to previous studies, significant levels of soil contamination have been reported in various public areas, including parks, schools, and public restrooms, which indicates a potential danger to public health. Through the integration of One Health concepts, it is possible to evaluate the factors that influence the parasite transmission cycle at the level of the human society, livestock population, and natural habitat on an integrated basis, so that interventions, such as vaccinations for domestic animals, epidemiological surveys, and multi-level education can be carried out in an integrated fashion. Despite recent scientific advances, several challenges remain, including the lack of accurate epidemiological data in many regions of the world, difficulties associated with a definitive diagnosis, parasite resistance in the environment, limited attention to toxocariasis as a neglected disease, and insufficient resources allocated to its control.