Raccoons are common inhabitants of many environments, including urban and suburban areas, due to their adaptability and ability to thrive near human activity. Raccoons can carry various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, that are transmissible to humans and pets.
Major Diseases Transmissible to Humans
Raccoons carry several diseases that can affect human health, including rabies, raccoon roundworm, and leptospirosis.
Rabies is a severe viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Raccoons are a primary wildlife carrier of the rabies virus in many regions of the United States. The virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, most often via a bite or scratch, or if saliva contacts an open wound or mucous membranes like the eyes, nose, or mouth. A raccoon exhibiting unusual behaviors, such as staggering, disorientation, aggression, or being uncharacteristically friendly, may be rabid. Post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of vaccinations, is highly effective if administered promptly after potential exposure and before symptoms manifest.
Raccoon roundworm, caused by the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis, is a serious concern. This roundworm lives in the intestines of raccoons, and infected raccoons shed millions of microscopic eggs in their feces. Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting these eggs, which are highly resilient and can remain viable in soil and on surfaces for years. Once ingested, the larvae hatch and can migrate throughout the body, potentially causing severe neurological damage, including loss of coordination, blindness, and even coma, especially in children. Symptoms like nausea, tiredness, and liver enlargement can appear within one to four weeks of exposure.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that raccoons can carry in their kidneys and shed in their urine. Humans can contract this disease through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected urine, or by direct contact with contaminated bodily fluids. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts, mucous membranes, or by ingestion. Symptoms range from flu-like illness, such as fever, headaches, and muscle aches, to more severe conditions like kidney or liver failure and meningitis.
How Diseases Spread
Diseases from raccoons can spread through various mechanisms, primarily involving direct contact with the animal or indirect contact with its contaminated waste.
Direct transmission can occur through bites or scratches from an infected raccoon. This is a common route for diseases like rabies, where the virus is present in the animal’s saliva and directly introduced into a person’s bloodstream. Even a seemingly minor scratch can pose a risk if the raccoon’s claws have been in contact with its saliva.
Indirect transmission often involves environmental exposure to raccoon waste, such as urine or feces. Pathogens like raccoon roundworm eggs are shed in feces and can contaminate soil, water, and various surfaces. These eggs are environmentally robust, persisting for extended periods, and can be inadvertently ingested if contaminated hands touch the mouth. Similarly, leptospirosis bacteria are shed in urine and can contaminate water sources or damp soil. Contact with these contaminated environments, especially through broken skin, can lead to infection.
Ingestion is another significant route for disease spread, particularly for parasitic and bacterial infections. This can happen through accidental consumption of contaminated food or water. For instance, children playing in areas with raccoon feces might transfer roundworm eggs from their hands to their mouths. Contaminated surfaces in and around homes can also transfer pathogens if proper hygiene is not maintained before eating or touching the face.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Protecting oneself and family from raccoon-borne diseases involves minimizing contact and maintaining environmental hygiene.
Avoiding direct contact with raccoons is important; never approach, feed, or attempt to handle these wild animals. Raccoons that appear sick, injured, or are behaving unusually should be reported to local animal control or wildlife authorities rather than approached. Even seemingly healthy raccoons can carry diseases without showing obvious symptoms.
Securing potential food sources around your home helps deter raccoons from residential areas. This includes using trash cans with tight-fitting lids, avoiding leaving pet food outdoors, and cleaning up fallen fruit from trees. Sealing entry points into homes, garages, and sheds can also prevent raccoons from seeking shelter inside.
Ensuring pets are properly vaccinated is another important protective measure. Keeping dogs and cats up-to-date on rabies vaccinations helps prevent them from contracting the disease from wildlife and potentially transmitting it to humans. Some veterinarians may also recommend leptospirosis vaccination for dogs, depending on local risk factors.
Maintaining good hygiene practices is important after any potential contact with raccoons or their droppings. Thorough handwashing with soap and water is recommended. Areas where raccoon feces are found, such as “raccoon latrines,” should be cleaned with caution, ideally by professionals, as roundworm eggs can become airborne during cleanup. If a bite or scratch from a raccoon occurs, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water, then seek prompt medical attention to assess the risk of rabies and other infections. Local health authorities should also be contacted to report the incident.