Raccoons are common opportunistic mammals observed across North America. While they rarely seek confrontations with humans, their presence introduces specific public health concerns. The primary danger raccoons pose is not typically a direct physical attack, as they are generally timid unless cornered, but rather the risk of disease transmission. Understanding these health risks is the first step toward safe coexistence with these common backyard visitors.
Rabies and Direct Interaction Risks
Raccoons are one of the most significant reservoirs for the rabies virus in the United States, making direct interaction a serious health hazard. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted primarily through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite or scratch. The disease is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, highlighting the seriousness of any physical contact.
Symptoms of rabies often manifest as severe neurological changes and unusual behavior. A rabid animal might appear disoriented, stagger, or exhibit partial paralysis, especially in the hind legs. Unusual daytime activity, uncharacteristic aggression, or a lack of fear toward humans are all signs of infection. Any raccoon exhibiting such behavior should be reported to local authorities and never approached.
If a person is bitten or scratched by a raccoon, immediate action is necessary to prevent the virus from taking hold. The wound should be thoroughly washed with soap and water for several minutes to flush out potential viral particles. Following this first aid, an exposed person must seek urgent medical attention to receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This treatment involves a series of vaccinations that are highly effective at preventing the development of rabies if administered promptly.
Non-Bite Related Pathogens
Beyond the risk of direct transmission, raccoons can spread pathogens through environmental contamination. A major health risk associated with raccoon droppings is the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis, commonly known as raccoon roundworm. This parasite’s eggs are shed in the feces, where they are extremely resilient and can survive in soil and on surfaces for years.
Infection occurs when a human accidentally ingests these microscopic eggs, often from contaminated soil, water, or objects. While human cases are rare, the consequences can be severe because the larvae hatched from the eggs migrate through the body. This migration can lead to visceral larval migrans, potentially causing irreversible neurological damage, blindness, or death if the larvae invade the brain or eyes. Children are at higher risk because they are more likely to put contaminated hands or objects into their mouths.
Another bacterial threat is Leptospirosis, which raccoons shed in their urine, contaminating water and soil. Humans contract this disease if urine-contaminated water or soil contacts mucous membranes or broken skin. Leptospirosis can cause a severe flu-like illness that may progress to kidney failure, liver damage, or meningitis. Raccoons use communal areas, called latrines, which concentrates these environmental hazards.
Minimizing Risk and Safe Coexistence
Preventing contact with raccoons is the most effective strategy for mitigating health risks. Securing all potential food sources is a primary step, as raccoons are drawn to accessible garbage cans, pet food left outdoors, and fallen fruit. Using trash cans with locking lids or storing them in a secure shed or garage eliminates a major attractant.
Homeowners should focus on exclusion techniques to prevent raccoons from establishing dens in or near the home, such as in attics, chimneys, or under decks. Sealing off all entry points larger than four inches will discourage nesting and prevent the formation of indoor latrines. This measure directly reduces the chance of prolonged exposure to accumulated feces and parasites.
Safe cleanup of raccoon latrines requires precautions to avoid ingesting or spreading roundworm eggs. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves and an N95-rated respirator mask, should be worn when handling droppings. Feces must be carefully removed, double-bagged, and disposed of in the trash or burned if local regulations permit. Since chemical disinfectants do not kill the eggs, contaminated surfaces like decks or patios should be treated with boiling water or steam to denature the parasite.