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Raccoons
have adapted very well to life in the city. North America is
home to the largest raccoon populations. Because food and
shelter in cities are plentiful and natural predators are
limited, their numbers are continuing to increase. Raccoons will
return to those areas that offer easy meals. By eliminating the
sources of food and shelter, we can force them to look elsewhere
for these necessities and reduce the raccoon population in our
cities.
The Alarming Facts
Raccoons are major
carriers of a number of diseases and parasites including rabies,
distemper, mange and roundworm.
Rabies
and
Distemper are viral diseases commonly carried by
raccoons. Humans are at risk only for rabies while pets can
contract both diseases. Transmission can occur through handling
of material (such as garbage) with which the saliva or other
excretions/secretions of infected animals have come into
contact.
Mange is a highly
contagious skin condition caused by mites and can easily affect
humans and pets.
Roundworm
infects approximately 80% of raccoons.
One adult raccoon will shed millions of roundworm eggs daily.
It takes just 2 weeks for eggs to mature
into larvae which can remain alive for years regardless of harsh
weather or decontamination efforts. After ingestion,
larvae move through the host's body tissues — particularly the
brain, but also the eyes and internal organs. In infected
humans, effects can include nausea, a lethargic feeling, loss of
eyesight, serious neurological damage and death.
Raccoons defecate in
communal sites such as at the base of trees or on logs, tree
stumps, decks and rooftops. Rain may wash feces off decks or
rooftops, causing the soil below to become contaminated.
As a result, ingestion most often occurs via soil, sand, wood,
bark, leaves and stones, in addition to direct ingestion of
raccoon feces.
Protecting Yourself
-
Remove raccoon feces from your property promptly &
carefully. It should be burned, buried or sent to a
landfill.
-
Treat decks, patios and other surfaces contaminated by the
feces with boiling water.
-
Care should be taken to avoid direct contact of feces or
other infected material with hands or clothes. The use of
gloves and face mask will help prevent cross-contamination.
-
After cleaning up, always wash hands well with soap and
running water to help further reduce possible infection.
-
Close off access to attics, basements and other sources of
shelter.
-
Keep sandboxes covered at all times to prevent their use as
raccoon latrines.
-
Keep your distance if a raccoon appears tame, injured or
sick—it could be a sign of rabies or distemper.
-
Always make sure your pets are protected with regular
vaccinations.
-
Do not leave your pet’s food or water bowls outside.
Keep
your garbage and recycling secured safely away.
Raccoon Information Resources:
Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources, Rabies In Ontario
Peter Cheney, Globe and Mail, October 8, 2005, Page M1
Leah McLaren, Globe and Mail, August 20, 2005, Page M2
Linda Diebel, The Toronto Star, Final Edition, August 21, 2005,
Page A8
Valerie Hauch, The Toronto Star, Ontario Edition, February 12,
2004, Page J10
Raccoon Facts and Information
Toronto Public Health Department - Wildlife in the city:
Raccoons
Banks DJD. 1992. Rabies: a forceful argument for urban animal
management. In: Murray RW, editor. Urban Animal Management:
proceedings of the First National Conference on Urban Animal
Management in Australia (Brisbane, 1992). Mackay QLD: Chiron
Media: 59-69.
Other
Articles of Interest:
Diseases
from Animals, Raccoon Roundworm
United
Wildlife Control, Raccoon Control |
