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Raccoon Ringworm or Raccoon Roundworm

Name of Infection Caused by Raccoon Feces Causes Confusion

May 4, 2009 Patrice Campbell

Less than 30 cases of Raccoon Roundworm had been reported in the US, with 5 resulting deaths. In 2009, two cases of the roundworm were identified in New York.

Also called Raccoon Ringworm, the parasite is actually Raccoon Roundworm or Baylisascaris Infection, a rare but emerging human infection contracted by accidental ingestion of roundworm eggs found in raccoon feces.

Raccoons live in most parts of the United States, except for heavily forested areas or in deserts. They are credited with keeping down the mice and insect population, and they survive on both animal and plant matter that they forage at night.

In human populated areas, a significant amount of the raccoon’s diet is made up of pet food and garbage.

According to the CDC, anyone exposed to areas where raccoons live could be at risk of contracting Raccoon Roundworm.

The Raccoon Roundworm is common but rarely causes any symptoms in raccoons. Raccoon Roundworm lives in the raccoon’s intestine and is expelled in feces (scat). The eggs hatch after they are ingested by humans or animals. Larvae then move throughout the body.

Water, soil or objects that are contaminated with the infected eggs infect humans if accidentally ingested. After release, it takes from 2 to 4 weeks before the eggs are infective in humans. The eggs can survive for years.

The eggs hatch in the human intestine and the larvae affect organs and muscles as they move through the body.

Symptoms of Raccoon Roundworm

Symptoms of Raccoon Roundworm show up several weeks after ingestion and can include

Nausea
Fatigue
Lack of attention to surroundings
Coordination loss
Muscle control loss
Blindness
Coma

The symptoms depend on where the larvae have migrated in the body and the number of eggs ingested.

Avoid Raccoon Roundworm

The best way to keep areas from becoming contaminated with raccoon roundworm is to take away the raccoon’s source of food. Bird feeders, fish ponds, pet food and gardens are popular feeding areas of the raccoon.

Cover sandboxes
Seal off openings in out-buildings
Screen or cap chimneys
Secure garbage can lids
Don’t leave pet food outside
Keep raccoons out of the garden with an electric fence
Wash hands after contact with scat

Small children often put their soiled hands in their mouth, and can ingest the raccoon roundworm if they have handled a contaminated object. Special care and supervision should be taken in areas that could be contaminated.

Care should be taken when cleaning up raccoon feces. Gloves and facemasks can help. Avoid contaminating clothing and hands when dealing with raccoon scat. In some cases, where heavy raccoon feces contamination is discovered, professional advice should be sought.

Patios, decks and furniture soiled with raccoon scat can be treated with boiling water. The raccoon feces should be burned, buried or land filled.

The copyright of the article Raccoon Ringworm or Raccoon Roundworm in General Medicine is owned by Patrice Campbell. Permission to republish Raccoon Ringworm or Raccoon Roundworm in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Raccoon Ringworm or Raccoon Roundworm