Why in news?
Recent news highlights the spread of raccoon roundworm across Europe, raising concerns about its zoonotic potential. India faces low immediate risk due to raccoon absence, but global invasive species trends warrant monitoring.
About Raccoon roundworm
- Raccoon roundworm, scientifically known as Baylisascaris procyonis, is a parasitic nematode primarily found in the intestines of raccoons.
- It poses significant health risks to humans and other animals through accidental ingestion of its infectious eggs shed in raccoon feces.​
Transmission
- Infection occurs via the fecal-oral route when eggs, which become infective after 2-4 weeks in the environment, contaminate soil, water, sandboxes, or objects.
- Raccoons often use communal latrines, increasing contamination risks in those areas.​
Symptoms in Humans
Human cases are rare but severe, with larvae migrating to the brain, eyes, and organs after ingestion, causing nausea, fatigue, coordination loss, blindness, coma, or death. Incubation takes 1-4 weeks.​
Prevention
Avoid raccoon feces, cover sandboxes, wash hands thoroughly, and discourage raccoons from yards. Eggs resist cold, drying, and many disinfectants but die at high heat above 62°C.
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