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September 26, 2008
Raccoon Roundworm Case in Hamilton
(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;
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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;
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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.
-30-
Media Contact:
Dr. Chris Mackie
Associate Medical Officer of Health
Hamilton Public Health Services
905-546-2424 ext. 2169
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