A Californian teenage boy and a toddler both fell ill after contracting a rare parasite typically spread through raccoon faeces, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC documented two cases of B. procyonis infection in the children, a 14-year-old and a 15-month-old, who were not related. The infection, known as raccoon roundworm infection, is caused by the Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm and is commonly transmitted through raccoon faeces and occasionally through dogs. The CDC published these findings in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on July 31, illustrating the severity of the situation.
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According to details from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), the two patients exhibited neurological symptoms such as behavioural changes, lethargy, and gait instability, indicating signs of the infection. Both cases occurred in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and were brought to the attention of health officials in September 2024. Raccoons have the potential to excrete millions of roundworm eggs in their faeces daily, which can become infectious after a few weeks and develop into larvae when consumed by other animals, as highlighted by the CDC. Despite the rarity of human cases, with only 35 reported instances in the US, the risk remains significant.
The teenage boy, who is on the autism spectrum and has a history of ingesting non-food items, was hospitalised in May 2024 due to a series of behavioural changes. Doctors identified “enhancing” lesions in his brain and subsequently discovered a live parasitic nematode in his eye. After a six-week treatment regime, his symptoms resolved, and he returned to his normal neurological state. In a separate incident, the toddler was admitted to the hospital in June, where a brain MRI revealed diffuse white matter abnormalities. Subsequently, a live parasitic nematode was discovered in his eye, which was also treated with a laser. Both children were administered medication for parasitic worms and corticosteroids as part of their treatment plan.
The CDC highlighted the risk factors associated with raccoon infestations near human living spaces, such as in the case of the teenager whose home had a raccoon latrine located directly above the entrance, leading to potential exposure to the infectious faeces. The agency recommended preventive measures, such as avoiding contact with raccoons and their faeces, refraining from keeping raccoons as pets, ensuring proper hand hygiene after outdoor activities, and promptly removing raccoon latrines from properties. Due to the potential danger of transmission to pets as well, dog owners are advised to prevent their pets from consuming raccoon faeces and to use parasite prevention products regularly.
In light of the severity of B. procyonis infection in humans and the prevalence of the parasite in raccoons, public health concerns are significant. The CDC underlined the importance of taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the parasite and emphasised the need for vigilance in areas where raccoons frequent. As the cases of the teenage boy and the toddler demonstrate, awareness and preventative actions are crucial to mitigating the spread of such rare but serious infections in the community.
The incidents involving these two children serve as a sobering reminder of the potential health risks associated with wildlife interactions and the importance of maintaining a safe environment to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. By shedding light on these cases, health authorities aim to educate the public on the dangers posed by raccoon-related parasites and the measures that can be taken to safeguard against such infections in the future. Vigilance and caution are paramount in safeguarding the well-being of individuals, especially vulnerable populations such as children and those with developmental disabilities, from such preventable health threats.