Raccoon Roundworm, an infection you likely never heard of before your raccoon removal needs, so should you care now?
As wildlife control specialists, we’re asked about risks associated with raccoons and other wildlife in and around our homes and properties. One concern is the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasitic worm that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
What is raccoon roundworm?
Baylisascaris procyonis is a type of parasitic roundworm nematode that infects raccoons, shedding eggs in their feces, and is generally not harmful to the raccoon host. Raccoons are the definitive host for this parasite, meaning the worm’s reproduction must occur within the intestines of raccoons, and does not occur in other hosts. Raccoons are known to deposit their feces in latrine sites and roundworm eggs can survive in the environment for years, contaminating soil, water, and surfaces.
Does it affect humans and other animals?
Humans, pets, and numerous wildlife species can become infected by ingesting contaminated feces or contaminated soil, water, or objects. The roundworm larvae hatch in the gut of the intermediate host and can migrate through the gut wall and to the brain, eyes, and other organs, causing serious health issues. Roundworm reproduction does not occur in intermediate hosts as that only occurs in the definitive host, the raccoon.
Symptoms and risks
In humans, symptoms can range from mild to severe, including nausea, fatigue, and neurological problems. There’s also evidence that healthy individuals may never reach a clinical stage and the body fights the infection successfully without medical interventions. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Baylisascaris procyonis infections are rare, but can be serious, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.
Prevention and removal
To minimize risk, and this is the common sense way we’ve gone about our lives never hearing about raccoon roundworm before:
- Avoid contact with raccoon feces and contaminated areas
- Wear gloves and consider masks when cleaning up feces or contaminated areas
- Wash hands thoroughly, it doesn’t kill the eggs, but it sloughs them away and down the drain
- Keep people and pets away from contaminated areas
Eliminating the risk (i.e. killing the roundworm eggs), is it possible?
- Chemicals including bleach, disinfectants, peroxides, are ineffective
- Dispose of materials in contaminated areas when possible
- When disposal of materials is not possible like on decks, sheds, in barn lofts, or in attics, applying heat of over 144 degrees Fahrenheit is considered effective to render the eggs inviable
Bottom line
This may have been the first thing you ever read about raccoon roundworm, so should you care now? It’s a very real thing, and I can’t make these calls for you, each of us has to gather information and make risk assessments for ourselves. However, I’ll share that I’m in my mid 40’s, have worked as a wildlife biologist and wildlife removal specialist for nearly two decades now, and have not once worried about raccoon roundworm infection. As a wildlife professional who literally handles and cleans up after raccoons regularly I wear appropriate personal protective equipment when important, and simply practice the same personal hygiene I learned as a child. I certainly recommend cleaning up raccoon feces that may be in you attic, on you decks, or in your barn, but this relates to aesthetics, general maintenance, and property values; I don’t want to see people fall victim to scare tactics when being sold sometimes unnecessary services or treatments.
If you suspect raccoon activity, need raccoon removal, or have more questions about raccoon roundworm feel free to contact us to remove the animals and clean up contaminated areas if it’s not something you’re comfortable handling yourself. Our goal is simply to serve people well.
Trifecta Wildlife Services is your Lexington and Central KY leader for raccoon removal, attic restoration, and other wildlife exclusion needs!
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Baylisascaris (Raccoon Roundworm).
