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August 1, 2002
The Statistical Analysis of Baylisascaris
Project Data
17 June 2002 from the California Department of Health Services
is available. Call Ben Sun, D.V.M. at (916) 327-0332 or email bsun@dhs.ca.gov
June 17, 2002
Baylisascaris
in Child Daycare Center
Summary of Issue, Background and Response/Actions:
- On May 8, 2002 the California Department of
Health Services (DHS) notified the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) of a report from the Santa Barbara County
Public Health Department (SBCPHD) on a possible case of Baylisascaris
in an 11 month old child attending a daycare center on the University
of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus. Laboratory testing
confirmed the diagnosis. Investigation implicated the daycare
center as the site of exposure to Baylisascaris. One hundred ninety-four
(194) children age 0-5 yr attend the daycare center and were potentially
exposed to Baylisascaris.
- Extensive environmental investigation of the
daycare center revealed numerous raccoon latrines containing Baylisascaris
eggs. Infective eggs were found in the soil. Daycare center workers
and parents of the attending children were contacted and offered
medical assistance. Eighty-four (84) individuals gave blood samples
for an eosinophil count and serologic evaluation. There is no
standardized diagnostic test for Baylisascaris infection. Of the
84 tested, none of the children at the daycare center appeared
to be infected. Eight of the children were, in consultation with
their physicians, referred for further evaluation or treated with
antibiotics as a precautionary measure. None of the children tested
are symptomatic.
- Intensive environmental remediation of the
daycare center is almost complete. Contaminated material was removed
and underlying surfaces decontaminated. Open dumpsters were covered
and other raccoon attractants removed. Exclusion methods have
been applied and there exists no evidence of eggs at present.
Raccoon incursion was detected in other areas on the UCSB campus
and is being addressed. Raccoons are commonly seen in the surrounding
community. Urban and suburban populations of raccoons are thriving;
without intervention, more Baylisascaris cases can be expected.
- To date, no additional Baylisascaris cases
have been confirmed. SBCPHD, DHS, CDC, and academic colleagues
continue to monitor the situation, make recommendations, and review
procedures that can be implemented to prevent further occurrence.
View
the interpretation of the test results in Adobe Acrobat format.
View
the Baylisascaris Advisory Panel Participants in Adobe Acrobat format.
To see the previous Health Alert of May 8,
2002, click here.
Raccoon Roundworm Information
The parasite is commonly known as Raccoon Roundworm
(Baylisascaris procyonis) which lives in the digestive tract of
raccoons. The microscopic eggs of the parasite are shed in their
feces, and a single defecation may carry a large number of eggs.
The eggs must mature to an infective state (2-4 weeks) before they
can cause illness. Young children and toddlers may be more likely
than adults to ingest the eggs due to their behavior of putting
dirt and other objects into their mouths. The very small number
of reported Raccoon Roundworm infection in humans, despite the large
number of raccoons living in close association with humans, suggests
that the risk of infection is rare and remote. Nevertheless, parents
should be informed about the potential for infection and the need
for proper precautions:
- Avoid direct contact with raccoons, especially
their feces. Do not keep, feed, or adopt raccoons as pets! Raccoons
are wild animals.
- Discourage raccoons from living in and around
your home or parks by removing access to food. Clear brush so
raccoons are not likely to make a den on your property.
- Stay away from areas and materials that might
be contaminated by raccoon feces. Raccoons typically defecate
at the base of or in raised forks of trees, or on raised horizontal
surfaces such as fallen logs, stumps, or large rocks. Raccoon
feces also can be found on woodpiles, decks, rooftops, and in
attics, garages, and haylofts. Feces usually are dark and tubular,
have a pungent odor (usually worse than dog or cat feces), and
often contain undigested seeds or other food items.
- To eliminate eggs, raccoon feces and material
contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed carefully and
sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating
hands and clothes. Prompt removal and destruction of raccoon feces
will reduce risk for exposure and possible infection. Newly deposited
eggs take at least 2-4 weeks to become infective.
For more information:
Call the Santa Barbara County Public Health
Department at 681-5280.
Visit the following websites:
Fact Sheet on Raccoon Roundworm Infection
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/baylisacaris/default.htm
MMWR Synopsis
Raccoon Roundworm Encephalitis — Chicago, Illinois, and Los
Angeles, California, 2000
www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/mmwrnews/n020104.htm#mmwr1
Baylisascaris procyonis: An Emerging Helminthic
Zoonosis
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol8no4/01-0273.htm
Managing Raccoon Problems
www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/raccoons.htm
Download and read the following documents:
The
Public Health Department's Raccoon Warning in Adobe Acrobat format.
How
To Clean Up A Raccoon Latrine in Adobe Acrobat format.
The
Wildlife Information Literature Data & Education Service brochure
"Living Peacefully With Raccoons" in Adobe Acrobat format.
W.I.L.D.E. Service's wildlife brochure on raccoons, opossums,
skunks and coyotes in Adobe Acrobat format.
If you need the plug-in from Adobe Acrobat,
Click
Here. Once you have downloaded the plug-in and followed the
instructions to install it - return to this page to view the application
and other documents.
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