Among the
parasites that can plague raccoons, one that is
well-known by raccoon removal experts is the
Raccoon Roundworm, or formally referred to as
Baylisascaris procyonis. Raccoon roundworm is an
endoparasitic nematode that lives and gestates
in the digestive tract of raccoons. Raccoons are
the definitive host for the roundworm, but other
mammals including but not limited to rabbits,
woodchucks, dogs, and even humans can serve as
intermediate hosts. Intermediate hosts differ
from primary hosts in that the roundworm can
survive inside an intermediate, but the larva
will never fully mature.
Raccoon roundworm is transmitted to humans
usually through fecal matter. When a person
comes into contact with the infected raccoon
feces, or inhales airborne eggs, the roundworm
eggs can enter the person's body and gestate
until they hatch into larvae. At this point, the
hatched larvae attempt to penetrate into the
digestive tract of the infected person, via
larva migrans. However, since the linings of
humans' organs are much thicker than those of
raccoons, this proves impossible for the larvae,
so they attempt to reach other organs by
traveling through the circulatory system. In
humans, larvae usually end up traveling to the
brain, resulting in visceral larva migrans. Once
in the brain raccoon roundworm can cause
blindness and severe damage to brain tissue.
Although human infection by raccoon roundworm is
rare, infection by the roundworm is lethal. Only
13 cases have been reported since 1980, but 5 of
those reported resulted in death while the 9
remaining victims were left with permanent brain
damage. To make matters worse, few tests exist
that can test for the larvae in the infected
person. Doctors are able to treat the condition
only if the infected individual informs them of
their exposure to raccoon feces, or if they test
organ tissue for the presence of the larvae,
which are difficult to detect.
Raccoon roundworm is an especially durable
nematode; its eggs can survive without gestating
for up to three years outside of the body. This
is because raccoons practice latrining, in which
multiple raccoons will visit and use the same
'toilet' site, giving the roundworm eggs plenty
of insulation needed to survive.
The best method of treatment is forehand
prevention. If a raccoon is found nesting within
a home, care should be taken when removing the
feces by wearing protective suits, masks, and
gloves. Raccoon feces should never be touched by
bare hands. Raccoon roundworm is a dangerous
parasite that can and does infect humans. All
care should be taken to remove any nesting
raccoons, and their waste, from your home as
soon as possible.
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