Just when you thought it was safe to go outside and enjoy the fall-like weather. Then bam, here comes Baylisascaris procyonis to shoot down the fun.
…that would be raccoon roundworm.
The parasite that causes the disease lives in the intestines of raccoons, and can be spread through water or other materials contaminated with raccoon feces. The eggs of the worm get into the person, begin to develop, find themselves in a strange place, and then, unfortunately, seem to seek out the central nervous system– the brain and the spinal cord, causing nausea, blindness, and loss of coordination and muscle control. The disease can also infect household pets.
It is rare in humans, but experts advise that people not feed raccoons, avoid leaving food outside, keep trash bins closed, wash their hands, and, stay as far from them as possible.
