Health officials in Los Angeles County are investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection linked to raccoons, prompting a call for residents to be extra careful around wildlife.
The Los Angeles County Health Department of Public Health reported two cases of Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm, in the South Bay area. They said the parasite can infect the spinal cord, brain, and eyes in humans, which can lead to brain swelling and eye disease, according to a Tuesday press release.
Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer, emphasized the connection between human and animal health and gave tips on how to stay healthy and safe.
“Our health is closely linked to the health of animals around us,” Davis said, according to the press release. “Simple precautions, like washing your hands regularly, avoiding direct contact with wild animals and their waste, keeping pets healthy, and preventing wildlife from sheltering or living in or next to our homes or properties can help keep our neighborhoods and families safe and healthy.”
The parasite’s risk to the general public is at the moment considered low but health officials said that the high population of raccoons in urban areas and their likely high infection rate is cause for concern.
The parasite doesn’t make raccoons sick. It is formed in their intestine and can spread through their feces via roundworm eggs, which can infect humans or other animals.
According to health officials, the disease is usually spread when humans or other animals ingest something contaminated by feces, such as soil, water, or other materials.
Young children, people with developmental disabilities, and those with pica eating disorders face a higher risk of infection.
Luckily, Baylisascaris infection cannot be transmitted from person to person, according to officials. They did, however, advise pet owners to consult with a veterinarian about deworming medications, as dogs and cats can also become infected with the disease, which sometimes can also be transmitted through dog poo, they said.
According to the press release, while interaction with animals can be good for people’s health, wildlife interactions are also one of the number one ways people catch infectious diseases, making up 60 percent of all known diseases in humans.
They urged the public to take precautions against zoonotic diseases, including those transmitted by fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
They also cautioned that children, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness from zoonotic diseases.
The health department has advised residents to practice basic safety measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding direct contact with wild animals and their waste, to slow the spread of diseases between animals and people.
Other diseases found in Los Angeles County that have already been found to spread through animals and humans include flea-born typhus, leptospirosis, West Nile Virus, salmonella, and rabies, according to the press release.
Some birds in the county have tested positive for H5N1, but there have been zero confirmed cases in humans so far, the press release stated.