science teacher. They occur worldwide where soil, water, and temperature allow. Lv 7. They do not harm humans. Worms breathe through their skin. 1 decade ago. in the urine could kill the worms! So they do not carry Lyme disease. Microbial associations with earthworms can be found in any terrestrial soil ecosystem that worms inhabit. Earthworms tend to thrive most without tillage, if sufficient crop residue is left on the soil surface. Parasitic worms in humans are often associated with travel, but you can also get them at home. A zoonotic disease is a disease spread between animals and people. Do not allow your birds to fly or roam around the house without supervision. Earthworms are commonly found in soil, eating a wide variety of organic matter. For example, a pregnant woman could inhale some of the protozoan and pass the disease on to her fetus, causing birth defects. A team of researchers led by the University of the West of England has just secured funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to investigate if nematode worms – including those that are common in the soil and eat bacteria – can spread those same bacteria to humans and animals. They are important to farmers crops. Some pesticides, especially organophosphates and carbamates, are toxic to earthworms. Read More They do not carry diseases. Abstract. Climatic factors, limited hygiene, and a variety of daily activities including eating habits and obtaining water all contribute to a spectrum of infections caused by worms. Environment Moisture Content: Red worms need a moist environment. It is located at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada. Crop rotations, cover crops, manure, fertilizer and lime applications all affect earthworm populations. The litter horizon also serves as protection for seeds that grow to form the understory plant community of a forest -- all the smaller plants and saplings that make up the lower canopy of vegetation near ground level. Cats can carry the disease Taxoplasma gondii. They could get accidentally trapped or hurt. Avoid housing pet birds in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens or dining rooms. These organisms live in and feed off a living host, like a human. An earthworm is a terrestrial invertebrate that belongs to the order Opisthopora.They exhibit a tube-within-a-tube body plan, are externally segmented with corresponding internal segmentation, and usually have setae on all segments. A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2006 describes a similar infection of a 16-year-old girl after she ate an earthworm on a dare. These animals and insects can carry diseases that can be spread to your pet birds. ... Opossums are night roamers, they find and consume all types of insects, bugs, snails, worms, smaller snakes, mice, rotting dead stuff, fallen fruits. This can transfer to humans. 1 0. zuska m. 1 decade ago. Do earthworms carry any diseases or any other harm to humans? The Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses offers information relating to zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to people), including aspects of human and pet health, infection prevention and control, and vaccination. 2 Answers. Most herbicides do not pose a threat to earthworms. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Answer Save. Relevance. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. Proper handwashing can greatly reduce risk. No, they are very important for human agriculture. Some of these diseases are very common. Do worms transmit bacteria that cause diseases (pathogens) to humans? Favorite Answer. 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