Question

Infection of Ascaris usually occurs by

• A. Mosquito bite
• B. Drinking water containing eggs of Ascaris
• C. Eating imperfectly cooked pork
• D. Tsetse fly

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To address the question concerning the transmission of Ascaris infection, it's important to understand the life cycle and transmission route of the parasite.

Ascaris lumbricoides, the roundworm responsible for ascariasis, is commonly transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The eggs of Ascaris are expelled in the feces of an infected person. When these eggs contaminate the soil or water, they can survive for extensive periods due to their resistance to environmental conditions.

The primary way humans become infested is by the ingestion of Ascaris eggs. This typically happens through:

• Drinking or consuming contaminated water.
• Eating raw vegetables or fruits that have been fertilized with contaminated human feces.
• Poor sanitary conditions leading to indirect transfer of contaminated soil or water to the mouth.

Now, let's examine the options given:

• 1. Mosquito bite: This is incorrect. Mosquito bites are associated with the transmission of diseases like malaria and dengue, not ascariasis.
• 2. Drinking water containing eggs of Ascaris: This is correct. As described, this is the main mode of Ascaris transmission.
• 3. Eating imperfectly cooked pork: This is incorrect. Consuming undercooked pork might lead to infections like trichinosis but not Ascaris infection.
• 4. Tsetse fly: This is incorrect. The tsetse fly is a vector for sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) and not responsible for spreading Ascaris.

Therefore, the correct answer is Drinking water containing eggs of Ascaris. For effective prevention, it is important to maintain good hygiene, use safe drinking water, and ensure proper sanitary conditions.