Health Alert

Rev. 01/01/2020

Announcement seen at Nojoqui County Park, Alisal Road, Santa Barbara County, 10/20/02

From Santa Barbara County Public Health Department:

Raccoon Parasite Investigation

August 1, 2002

The Statistical Analysis of Baylisascaris Project Data is available from the California Department of Health Services is available. Call Ben Sun, D.V.M. at (916) 327-0332.

June 17, 2002

Baylisascaris in Child Daycare Center

Summary of Issue, Background and Response/Actions:

• On May 8, 2002 the California Department of Health Services (DHS) notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a report from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD) on a possible case of Baylisascaris in an 11 month old child attending a daycare center on the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus.
• Laboratory testing confirmed the diagnosis. Investigation implicated the daycare center as the site of exposure to Baylisascaris. One hundred ninety-four (194) children age 0-5 yr attend the daycare center and were potentially exposed to Baylisascaris.
• Extensive environmental investigation of the daycare center revealed numerous raccoon latrines containing Baylisascaris eggs. Infective eggs were found in the soil.
• Daycare center workers and parents of the attending children were contacted and offered medical assistance. Eighty-four (84) individuals gave blood samples for an eosinophil count and serologic evaluation. There is no standardized diagnostic test for Baylisascaris infection. Of the 84 tested, none of the children at the daycare center appeared to be infected. Eight of the children were, in consultation with their physicians, referred for further evaluation or treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure. None of the children tested are symptomatic.
• Intensive environmental remediation of the daycare center is almost complete. Contaminated material was removed and underlying surfaces decontaminated. Open dumpsters were covered and other raccoon attractants removed. Exclusion methods have been applied and there exists no evidence of eggs at present. Raccoon incursion was detected in other areas on the UCSB campus and is being addressed. Raccoons are commonly seen in the surrounding community. Urban and suburban populations of raccoons are thriving; without intervention, more Baylisascaris cases can be expected.
• To date, no additional Baylisascaris cases have been confirmed. SBCPHD, DHS, CDC, and academic colleagues continue to monitor the situation, make recommendations, and review procedures that can be implemented to prevent further occurrence.

Raccoon Roundworm Information

The parasite, commonly known as Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), lives in the digestive tract of raccoons. The microscopic eggs of the parasite are shed in their feces, and a single defecation may carry a large number of eggs. The eggs must mature to an infective state (2-4 weeks) before they can cause illness. Young children and toddlers may be more likely than adults to ingest the eggs due to their behavior of putting dirt and other objects into their mouths. The very small number of reported Raccoon Roundworm infection in humans, despite the large number of raccoons living in close association with humans, suggests that the risk of infection is rare and remote. Nevertheless, parents should be informed about the potential for infection and the need for proper precautions:

• Avoid direct contact with raccoons, especially their feces. Do not keep, feed, or adopt raccoons as pets! Raccoons are wild animals.
• Discourage raccoons from living in and around your home or parks by removing access to food. Clear brush so raccoons are not likely to make a den on your property.
• Stay away from areas and materials that might be contaminated by raccoon feces. Raccoons typically defecate at the base of or in raised forks of trees, or on raised horizontal surfaces such as fallen logs, stumps, or large rocks. Raccoon feces also can be found on woodpiles, decks, rooftops, and in attics, garages, and haylofts. Feces usually are dark and tubular, have a pungent odor (usually worse than dog or cat feces), and often contain undigested seeds or other food items.
• To eliminate eggs, raccoon feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed carefully and sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. Prompt removal and destruction of raccoon feces will reduce risk for exposure and possible infection. Newly deposited eggs take at least 2-4 weeks to become infective.

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