infectious diseases
Baylisascariasis
Prevention of Baylisascariasis
To prevent baylisascariasis, it is important to discourage raccoons from living in or close to houses. Sandboxes should be covered when not in use. Raccoons use the same communal spot to defecate, leaving a large amount of tubular, foul-smelling feces in one area (called a raccoon latrine). Raccoon latrines are biohazards because of the high likelihood of parasitic contamination, and their removal is best left to professionals. (See also the CDCRaccoon Latrines: Identification and Clean-up.) 