Raccoon Roundworm Case in Hamilton
September 26, 2008
(reprinted from a press release issued by Hamilton Public Health Services)
HAMILTON , ON – September 26, 2008 – The City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services is investigating a rare human case of raccoon roundworm infection or Baylisascaris procyonis. The parasite is commonly found in raccoon feces and in rare cases can cause severe human neurological disease if ingested.
“Raccoons are everywhere but the roundworm infection in humans is very rare with fewer than 20 cases reported globally since the first documented case in 1984 – that’s less than one case a year in the world,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, Hamilton’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “The only way for a human to contract the infection is to ingest the eggs, and even then most people are unlikely to become ill. Eggs may be transferred on material, such as soil contaminated with raccoon feces.”
Raccoon roundworm is just one of a number of intestinal parasites that may be contracted through contact with animal feces. There are several common sense approaches to reducing the risk of ingesting these kinds of parasites:
- Hand washing and good hygiene should be encouraged especially after outdoor play or touching pets;
- Susceptible individuals such as children and those with developmental disabilities should be monitored and discouraged from ingesting soil and debris;
- Cover sandboxes and other areas that are attractive as latrine sites for animals;
- Do your best to discourage wild animals from taking up residence in your yard by removing possible food sources such as garbage and pet food, and placing meat scraps in your green bin, not your compost pile.
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Media Contact:
Dr. Chris Mackie
Associate Medical Officer of Health
Hamilton Public Health Services
905-546-2424 ext. 2169