Children getting perminantly crippled by parasites in raccoon poop.
The experts warn parents to watch their children carefully when playing in areas with known populations of raccoon latrines.
“If children are seen to ingest material from a raccoon latrine, the drug albendazole should be administered immediately,” Murray said, “and a sample should be sent for expert examination for Baylisascaris procyonis eggs.” Everyone should thoroughly wash their hands after playing outdoors or working in the yard.
Murray’s best advice for people with persistent raccoons at their home is to discourage the animals by eliminating access where possible, never leaving food out, and removing feces promptly. “The eggs are not infective until they ‘age’ for 14 to 28 days, so if the droppings are cleaned up immediately there is no danger,” Murray said.