Reducing Baylisascaris procyonis Roundworm Larvae in Raccoon Latrines

Abstract

Baylisascaris procyonis roundworms, a parasite of raccoons, can infect humans, sometimes fatally. Parasite eggs can remain viable in raccoon latrines for years. To develop a management technique for parasite eggs, we tested anthelmintic baiting. The prevalence of eggs decreased at latrines, and larval infections decreased among intermediate hosts, indicating that baiting is effective.

Keywords

• Baylisascaris
• prevention
• zoonoses
• raccoon
• roundworms
• parasites