A healthy dog in the San Fernando Valley was found to be infected with a parasite commonly found in raccoons in Los Angeles County, according to public health officials.
During a routine examination, veterinarians found baylisascaris eggs in dog's body – the first formal report of its kind of raccoon roundworms in a dog in county history, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
In 2024, two South Bay residents became ill from the parasite, which can infect the brain, spinal cord and eyes and cause eye disease and brain inflammation.
The Department of Public Health said the risk to the public was extremely low, with fewer than 10 human cases reported in California since 1993.
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces. Parasite eggs must be in feces for two to four weeks before they can cause an infection, so officials urged quick cleanup of raccoon feces with gloves.
Young children, people with developmental disabilities or people with the non-eating eating disorder pica are most at risk, health officials said in a statement, because they may be more likely to mistakenly put contaminated fingers, dirt, objects or even animal feces in their mouths.
baylisascaris The infection cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Symptoms in dogs include lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, dogs may experience neurological problems such as loss of coordination, paralysis, and seizures.
Authorities have encouraged people to always wash their hands, be aware of zoonotic diseases, stay away from wildlife, remove animal waste from around the home and yard, avoid dead wildlife, and keep pets safe with routine veterinary care.
The infected dog was being treated and no other infections had been reported as of Friday, the Department of Public Health said.
