"During a routine exam, veterinarians found Baylisascaris eggs in the dog's system - the first such formal report of raccoon roundworm in a dog in county history, according to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health news release. In 2024, two South Bay residents were sickened by the parasite, which can infect the brain, spinal cord and eyes and lead to eye disease and swelling of the brain."
"The Department of Public Health said that the risk to the public was extremely low, with fewer than 10 human cases reported in California since 1993. Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces. The parasite's eggs must be in the feces for two to four weeks before they can cause infection, so officials urged quick cleanup of any raccoon feces using gloves."
Veterinarians found Baylisascaris eggs during a routine exam in a San Fernando Valley dog, marking the first formal county report of raccoon roundworm in a dog. In 2024, two South Bay residents were sickened by the parasite, which can infect the brain, spinal cord and eyes, causing eye disease and brain swelling. Human cases in California remain rare, with fewer than 10 reported since 1993. Transmission usually occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces; eggs require two to four weeks in feces to become infectious. High-risk groups include young children, people with developmental disabilities, and those with pica. Infection does not spread person to person. Dog symptoms range from lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea to severe neurological signs such as loss of coordination, paralysis and seizures. Recommended measures include handwashing, removing animal waste with gloves, avoiding wildlife and dead animals, and maintaining routine veterinary care for pets.
Read at Los Angeles Times
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]