15 Frequent Causes of Whipworm Infection

2. Contaminated soil

Much like fertilizers, soil can also become contaminated with whipworm eggs. This occurs when an animal or even a human who is infected with the parasite defecate outdoors. The soil where their feces lands on will be covered in whipworm eggs and thus be a prime reservoir for the parasite to infect others.

When someone else comes into contact with this soil they’ll be at high risk for ingesting the parasitic eggs. If they so much as touch the soil then get their hands near their mouth then they will most likely end up ingesting the eggs. Farmers who plant crops in this soil will also be spreading the parasite as anyone who eats the vegetables grown there — without washing it properly — will suffer from whipworm too. This is why farmers often keep their livestock in barns so that they don’t defecate on the crop soil.