British Rugby Player Infected with Cellulitis from Feces
"Dog Owners Must Properly Dispose of Pet Waste"
A heartbreaking story has emerged of a former British rugby player who has been unable to feel sensation in his calf for a year after being infected by a virus from neglected dog feces.
On the 5th (local time), the UK Daily Star reported the story of Neil Baxter, who suffered a severe infectious injury from dog feces. According to the report, Neil felt a stinging sensation in his calf during a match against the Cambridgeshire County rugby team in February last year. A small wound was found on his calf, but Neil and his family did not think much of it. However, after a few days, the wound became larger and hotter than expected. Neil's leg gradually swelled, increasing in circumference by about 10 cm, and he eventually went to the hospital. Medical staff found a large abscess behind his shinbone and performed surgery.
The medical team diagnosed Neil with cellulitis caused by a virus parasitic to dogs. Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection characterized by heat and swelling in the affected area.
The rugby field where the match was held was used as a dog-walking route when no games were taking place, and the incident occurred because some dog owners did not properly clean up their pets' feces.
Neil had to undergo a procedure to completely remove the abscess and stitch the incision site for three months, resulting in the loss of 20% of the calf muscle. Even after a year since the surgery, he reportedly still cannot feel sensation from 5 cm below the knee to the calf area. According to the report, Neil has now retired from his playing career.
Regarding the incident, Baxter said, "I also have two pet dogs. 99% of dog owners do not leave their dogs' feces anywhere," adding, "I want to hold irresponsible owners hiding behind the majority accountable."
Meanwhile, cases of cellulitis caused by viruses parasitic to dogs have occurred frequently. In August 2015, a man in his 20s who was a rugby player in the UK almost had to have his leg amputated after stepping on dog feces.
There was also a case where a 2-year-old child lost vision in one eye after sitting on grass, touching dog feces, rubbing their eyes with that hand, and becoming infected with toxocariasis caused by parasitic roundworms from dogs.
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