Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are used to control pests in agricultural industry and home gardening. These toxic compounds operate through inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to transfer nerve impulses indefinitely, and causing various symptoms such as weakness and paralysis. Monocrotophos is an organophosphate insecticide, which is highly toxic to birds and human beings. Totally 57 dead doves were sent to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health & Environment for further examination. All of the carcasses were found in Gwanak-gu two times, 18 doves on 7 August 2012 and 39 doves on 1 October 2012 respectively. Gross examinations revealed no evidence of any specific disease condition. The contents of gastrointestinal tracts contained residues of monocrotophos ranged from 600.57 to 749.2 mg/kg in 18 dead doves and 5,064 mg/kg in 39 dead doves. Based on these evidences, we conclude that the doves died due to monocrotophos poisoning after taking the food contaminated by monocrotophos. It was assumed that a misuse and an abuse case of commonly used pesticides in Korea.

Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is a clinical syndrome caused by the migration of certain larval nematodes through the tissues of an aberrant host. VLM in humans is most frequently associated with Toxocara canis, the common roundworm of dogs. To demonstrate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public playgrounds in Seoul city, soil samples collected from April to December in 2012 were examined. Eggs of parasite were found 4 of 1,174 in soil samples from public playgrounds and educational facilities in Seoul. Of the 1,174 soil samples examined, 0.34% of samples were found th be positive ova of Toxocara canis. Soil samples in educational facilities were more contaminated (0.57%) with the eggs than those in public playground area (0%). Most Toxocara canis eggs in sands were found in the autumn.