A rare parasitic infection known as raccoon roundworm has been confirmed in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The infection, caused by a parasitic worm from raccoons' intestines, has been diagnosed in two individuals in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County.
When the parasite, Baylisascaris procyonis, infects humans, it can impact the brain, spinal cord, and eyes, potentially leading to brain swelling and eye disease. The worms produce eggs in raccoons' intestines, which are then passed through the animals' feces. These eggs can remain infectious for years under suitable conditions.
