We just learned about the case of a Canadian couple who, after returning from a vacation in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, discovered that a parasite had nested in their bodies. It was a hookworm, a type of intestinal parasite that is very common in dogs and cats, but can also affect humans.
The couple was infected by walking barefoot on the beach, which caused the larvae of this organism to penetrate through their skin. They were discovered that their feet swelled abnormally and that something moved inside them. It was the larvae that were trying to reach the intestine.
This type of infections are very common in Africa and some countries of Southeast Asia. But cais can be produced on any beach whose soil is contaminated. For that reason, walking with sandals can be a good method to avoid contagion and to pass on our feet what the images show (in the link you can see more, if you fancy).
