Koalas killed by chihuahuas?

I happened to see a letter "facts about dogs" in your April edition.

This stated that 10-20 children are blinded a year in Australia by rubbing dog faeces in their eyes.

This statement is false and the incidence of dog-associated blindness would equal the number of koalas killed by Chihuahuas.

The truth is that Toxocara Canis may cause infestation in humans, as it is ingested and the larvae migrate through the blood stream and most often settle in the liver.

Very rarely in an eye, very very rarely causing loss of vision in that eye.

Infections are usually acquired in the home by infants crawling on the floor and in fact in identified cases there is usually a history of pica, that is, faeces eating.

The disease is prevented by recurrent deworming of dogs.

The Encyclopaedia Britannia states "with the exception of rabies, most diseases of dogs are not transmissible to human beings".

I trust that you will correct the errors.

John Harrison, MBB Chir; MRCP: DTM&H, Ettalong