From the Guidelines
Raccoons are known to carry rabies, a viral infection that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, as well as other diseases such as roundworms, leptospirosis, canine distemper, giardiasis, and salmonellosis. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 2008, which recommends that all bites by raccoons and other wild terrestrial carnivores should be considered possible exposures to rabies virus 1. This study emphasizes the importance of postexposure prophylaxis, which should be initiated as soon as possible following exposure to such wildlife, unless the animal is available for diagnosis and public health authorities are facilitating expeditious laboratory testing. Some of the key diseases carried by raccoons include:
- Rabies, which can be fatal if left untreated
- Roundworms (Baylisascaris procyonis), which can cause severe neurological damage in humans if eggs are accidentally ingested
- Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through raccoon urine, which can cause liver and kidney damage in humans
- Canine distemper, which is dangerous to dogs but not humans
- Giardiasis and salmonellosis, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in humans. It is essential to maintain distance and never handle raccoons or their waste without proper protection, and to seek medical attention immediately if bitten or scratched, as rabies post-exposure prophylaxis may be necessary 1.
From the Research
Diseases Carried by Raccoons
- Raccoons can carry the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, which can cause baylisascariasis in humans 2
- Baylisascariasis can lead to devastating or fatal neural larva migrans in infants and young children, and ocular larva migrans in adults 2
- Raccoons can also carry rabies, a zoonotic, fatal, and progressive neurological infection caused by the rabies virus 3, 4, 5
- Rabies is usually transmitted to humans by infected saliva through the bite of a rabid animal, and the incubation period averages 30 to 90 days 4
- Raccoons are considered one of the main reservoirs for rabies, along with other wildlife such as skunks, bats, and foxes 3
Transmission and Prevention
- Humans can become infected with Baylisascaris procyonis by accidentally ingesting infective eggs from raccoon latrines or articles contaminated with their feces 2
- Contact with raccoon feces or an environment contaminated by infective eggs, as well as geophagia or pica, are the most important risk factors for infection 2
- Prevention of infection is the most important public health measure, as there is no effective treatment for baylisascariasis once symptoms develop 2
- Rabies can be prevented through timely post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes wound cleansing, immunization with modern cell culture vaccine, and administration of rabies immune globulin 4, 6