Raccoon transmitted raccoons endanger human health?

Hunters demand compulsory registration for the so-called raccoon roundworm

In Germany there is an ever increasing Raccoon population. This increases the risk that the raccoon will transmit a dangerous worm to humans. The Hunters Association Oberhessen now demanded a nationwide registration for the so-called raccoon roundworm.

The experts of the Hunters Association Oberhessen warn of the consequences of the spread of raccoons in Germany. These little cute-looking animals can carry the dangerous roundworm, which can also be transmitted to humans. The Hessian State Laboratory published a technical contribution to the topic: roundworm infestation (Baylisascaris procyonis) at the raccoon in Hesse.

The so-called roundworm is common in raccoons. The spreading of the raccoon population across Germany increases the danger that humans will be affected by the worm. (Image: 7activestudio / fotolia.com)

A reporting requirement should be introduced

The experts demand the introduction of a reporting obligation for the raccoon roundworm. The spread of the raccoon increases the risk that this invasive species transmits the dangerous roundworm to humans. A reporting obligation must be introduced, as in the case of the fox tapeworm in 2001.

Hunters demand rules for effective raccoon hunt

Hunters also call for a practical implementation of the EU regulation on population control and control of invasive alien species. Such a regulation would allow effective hunting of the raccoon. This would minimize the risk of roundworm diseases, as well as reducing expensive raccoon damage to buildings.

Many people may already be unknowingly infected with roundworms

As there is currently no obligation to report and no comprehensive routine diagnostics for the zoonotic agent (Baylisascaris procyonis), this probably leads to a very high number of unreported cases in the diagnosis of roundworm infections in humans. Serious damage to health can be the result.

What are roundworms??

Roundworms occur in many species and they can also infect humans. The worms live in the intestine and can reach a length of up to 50 cm. The worm produces a maximum of 200,000 eggs per day, which are eventually excreted in the feces. Through contact with the faeces infective larval stages are transmitted, which are located in the worm eggs. If an animal or a person ingests these eggs orally, for example, over non-washed hands, food or contaminated drinking water, worms in the small intestine of the host hatch, explain the researchers from the Hessian State Laboratory. These then migrate through the blood vessels in the liver and lungs. From the larvae form worms, which lay eggs again. The infection by the worm harms the host because it is deprived of nutrients and tissue destruction occurs.

Larvae can enter various organs and body tissues

When such worm eggs are picked up by so-called Fehlwirten, the larvae hatch from the egg shell and penetrate the wall of the intestine. From there, they enter various organs and body tissues. In these, however, they are usually encapsulated. It is quite possible that a new infection may be triggered by the uptake of these larvae encapsulated in the tissue of the intermediate host.

How many raccoons have been affected by the worm??

In a previous study, it was already established that in the 1990s, probably more than 70 percent of the raccoons were affected by the worm. The Hessian state laboratory had found in further investigations that the rates of raccoon infestation between 2014 and 2016 ranged between 31.6 and 55.2 percent.

Raccoons rarely show shyness and come very close to humans and pets

The increasing risk of infection by the raccoon roundworm poses a significant threat to human health. The growing risk of infection is not due solely to the general increase in the raccoon population. The lack of aversion to humans also plays a major role. No other wildlife comes so close to pets and humans. There are more and more raccoons in populated areas and close to people. This leads to a potential endangerment of humans by the raccoon roundworm. (As)