A wholesome canine within the San Fernando Valley was discovered to be contaminated with a parasite generally present in L.A. County raccoons, in keeping with public well being officers.
Throughout a routine examination, veterinarians discovered Baylisascaris eggs within the canine’s system — the primary such formal report of raccoon roundworm in a canine in county historical past, in keeping with a Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being information launch.
In 2024, two South Bay residents have been sickened by the parasite, which might infect the mind, spinal twine and eyes and result in eye illness and swelling of the mind.
The Division of Public Well being mentioned that the danger to the general public was extraordinarily low, with fewer than 10 human instances reported in California since 1993.
Transmission most frequently happens when folks or pets ingest meals or water contaminated with raccoon feces. The parasite’s eggs should be within the feces for 2 to 4 weeks earlier than they will trigger an infection, so officers urged fast cleanup of any raccoon feces utilizing gloves.
Younger kids, folks with developmental disabilities, or folks with the non-food consuming dysfunction, pica, are at highest threat, mentioned well being officers in a press release, as a result of they might be extra prone to put contaminated fingers, soil, objects, and even animal feces into their mouths by mistake.
Baylisascaris an infection can’t be unfold from individual to individual.
Signs in canines embrace lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. In critical instances, canines might expertise neurological points like lack of coordination, paralysis and seizures.
Officers have inspired folks to at all times wash their arms, pay attention to zoonotic ailments, preserve distance from wildlife, take away animal waste discovered close to one’s residence and yard, keep away from useless wildlife, and hold pets protected with routine veterinary care.
The contaminated canine was being handled, and no different infections had been reported as of Friday, the Division of Public Well being mentioned.
