Health
Raccoon roundworm infections reported in Los Angeles County, health officials warn
A rare parasitic infection known as raccoon roundworm has been confirmed in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Two people in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County have been diagnosed with the infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, which is caused by a parasitic worm from the raccoon’s intestines.
When it infects humans, the parasite can affect the brain, spinal cord and eyes, potentially causing brain swelling and eye disease, the health department warned.
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After maturing in the raccoon’s intestines, the worms produce eggs that are then passed with the animal’s feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A rare parasitic infection known as raccoon roundworm has been confirmed in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. (iStock)
After two to four weeks, the eggs become infectious. The eggs can survive for years in the right conditions.
“Aside from its natural host, the raccoon, some accidentally infected species include domestic dogs and humans,” Erica Susky, a certified infection control practitioner based in Canada, told Fox News Digital.
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“The roundworm infects new hosts via ingestion of the infective larval stage, either by eating the infected host or by ingestion of contaminated feces in the environment.”
Although it is rare, infection can happen when people accidentally ingest the roundworm’s eggs (which are in the raccoon’s feces) from soil, water or on contaminated objects, according to the CDC.
When it infects humans, the parasite can potentially cause eye disease, the health department warned. (iStock)
Young children and developmentally disabled persons are at the highest risk, as they are more likely to accidentally put contaminated fingers, soil or objects into their mouths, the CDC warned.
The infection cannot be transmitted among people.
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“While Baylisascariasis is rare in people and the risk to the general public is low at this time, it is concerning because a large number of raccoons live near people, and the infection rate in raccoons is likely high,” stated the LA health department.
The parasite is present in the U.S. and Canada, Susky noted, though it is more common in the Southern latitudes, the Northeast, the Midwest and the West coast.
“It is concerning because a large number of raccoons live near people, and the infection rate in raccoons is likely high.”
Fewer than 25 cases of raccoon roundworm have been reported in the U.S., the CDC noted, but the number may be larger due to misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis.
As of 2018, there had been 23 confirmed cases and six deaths in the country.
Symptoms of raccoon roundworm
Effects of raccoon roundworm may vary depending on the volume of eggs consumed and where they travel in the body.
“Some of those infected have had no symptoms, known as subclinical infections,” Susky said.
Swelling of the brain is one adverse effect of raccoon roundworm, health experts warn. (iStock)
Larger numbers of eggs can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, enlarged liver, loss of muscle control, loss of coordination, blindness, coma and lack of attention to people and surroundings, according to the CDC.
Those at the highest risk of severe disease include children, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, the agency warned.
Preventing infection
Studies show that up to 60% of infectious diseases in humans come from animals.
“Our health is closely linked to the health of the animals around us,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, a health officer with Los Angeles County, in the press release.
“Our health is closely linked to the health of the animals around us.”
“Simple precautions, like washing your hands regularly, avoiding direct contact with wild animals and their waste, keeping pets healthy, and preventing wildlife from sheltering or living in or next to our homes or properties can help keep our neighborhoods and families safe and healthy.”
The best means of prevention is to avoid contact with wild animals or birds whenever possible, including dead ones, according to Susky.
“One way to do this is to ensure that open attics and crawl spaces remain closed up, thus eliminating potential hiding places,” she said.
People are advised to keep pets indoors whenever possible, and to keep them on leashes when outdoors.
The infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, is caused by a parasitic worm from the raccoon’s intestines. (iStock)
“Take pets frequently to the veterinarian if they are outside for regular deworming, or to find out whether it is required and with what frequency, and seek veterinarian treatment if a pet becomes ill,” Susky recommended.
Hand-washing is especially crucial, she said, as eggs could inadvertently be in soil and water.
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“It is always good infection prevention to wash one’s hands frequently — for example, before preparing food or after contact with animals,” Susky added.
“And if one is spending time outdoors, they should wash their hands upon completing their outdoor activities.”
Hand-washing is especially crucial for prevention, experts say, as eggs could inadvertently be in soil and water. (iStock)
Adults should help remind children to wash their hands after playing outside, Susky advised, as they are more at risk of accidentally ingesting soil and water.
“For this reason, cover sandboxes when not in use, so that animals cannot use the sandbox for defecating or urinating,” she added.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Fox News Digital reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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After a season of bingeing and drinking, your body may feel like it needs a break from the party.
Dry January — a modern trend that challenges people to abstain from drinking for the first month of the year — has become a popular way to “detox” from the holidays and start the new year on a healthy note.
Research has linked alcohol to a variety of health conditions, ranging from hangovers to higher cancer risk.
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In a recent podcast episode of “The Dr. Mark Hyman Show,” Dr. Mark Hyman, chief medical officer of Function Health, shared how 30 days of not drinking alcohol can transform health.
Hyman, who is based in Massachusetts, called Dry January a “powerful way to see in real time how alcohol affects nearly every system of your body and how quickly those systems can recover.”
Dry January has become a popular way to “detox” from the holidays and start the new year on a healthy note. (iStock)
Alcohol’s toll on the brain and body
Hyman acknowledged that most people drink to feel happier and more comfortable in social situations. This effect is caused by the main ingredient in alcohol, called ethanol, which can also have toxic effects.
Instead of stimulating the brain, alcohol slows it down and loosens inhibitions. “You feel more relaxed, more social, more confident, maybe you feel a little euphoric,” Hyman said.
Alcohol’s effect on the brain can also lead to poorer decisions and slower reflexes, the doctor cautioned.
Drinking alcohol can cause cognitive decline and brain fog, experts warn. (iStock)
Drinking also impacts the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which Hyman described as “the adult in the room,” responsible for judgment, planning and restraint. “It goes offline early in drinking, which explains why people feel freer or act impulsively when they drink,” he said.
Even moderate drinking can cause metabolic stress, inflammation, impaired detoxification and hormonal shifts, Hyman said, which can impact nearly every organ system in the body.
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Alcohol consumption has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome disturbances and mitochondrial toxins.
It can also prevent the body from falling into REM sleep, which is the deep rest recovery period when the immune system cleans out the day’s toxins, according to Hyman.
Alcohol can impact deep rest and mental health, according to experts. (iStock)
Memory loss, cognitive decline, anxiety, sleep disruption, dementia and cardiovascular disease are all known risks of long-term alcohol use, as well as liver complications like fatty liver disease.
“Bottom line, alcohol taxes every major system in your body, especially your liver, your brain, your gut, your hormones,” Hyman said.
The effects of 30 days with no alcohol
The first week after your last drink, the body begins to detoxify and reset, according to Hyman. Blood sugar and cortisol stress hormones level out, and the liver begins to process a “backlog of toxins.” The body also re-hydrates and re-energizes.
The first 30 days with no alcohol allows the body to balance itself out. (iStock)
The second week, the gut and brain will begin to re-balance, as hormones like serotonin and dopamine stabilize, gut inflammation drops and the microbiome begins to heal. Cravings for sugar and alcohol will wane and mental clarity returns, the doctor said.
Week three is marked by further decreases in inflammation, fatty liver and blood pressure. This can be noticeable in the skin, as puffiness and redness are reduced. Mood also begins to stabilize, with lower anxiety levels.
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In week four, the body experiences additional metabolic and immune benefits, Hyman shared, including more insulin sensitivity, which makes it easier to lose weight.
“You have a stronger immune response. You’re not getting sick as much. You have better deep sleep, balanced hormones, especially cortisol and testosterone,” he said. “And you see a big change in energy, confidence and focus.”
Abstaining from alcohol can help restore energy, according to experts. (iStock)
Dr. Pinchieh Chiang, a clinician at Circle Medical in San Francisco, said that Dry January isn’t a “detox,” but rather provides “feedback” from the body.
“It gives the body time to show people how it feels without alcohol. For many, that insight alone changes their relationship with drinking,” she said. “The biggest surprise isn’t what people give up, it’s how much better they feel.”
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The doctor confirmed that the first few days of not drinking may feel harder than expected, sometimes causing restlessness, cravings or disrupted sleep, but Dry January can ultimately change drinking habits for the remainder of the year.
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After a full year without alcohol, Chiang noted that health improvements are more profound. “We see sustained improvements in blood pressure, liver function and inflammation,” she said. “Those changes directly affect long-term heart disease and stroke risk.”
The risks of ‘all or nothing’
Some experts warn that adopting the Dry January trend could strengthen the urge to drink more in the other months, noting that some drinkers may find more success by slowly consuming fewer drinks per week.
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Thomas Stopka, Ph.D., an epidemiologist and professor in the public health and community medicine department at Tufts University School of Medicine in Massachusetts, shared in a Futurity report that for some people, “damp January” may be more suitable.
One expert warned that not all drinkers should quit “cold turkey,” as it could lead to severe withdrawals. (iStock)
“Dry January is well-intentioned, and it may work really well for the people who can stick to it, maybe even beyond January,” he said. “Other people may be more inclined to cut down on alcohol consumption rather than quit drinking completely for the month.”
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Stopka noted that successful harm-reduction approaches “aim to be judgment free.”
“Substance use disorder is a disease,” he said. “It takes time to treat the disease and to stay connected to the continuum of care — from prevention to treatment initiation to sustained therapy, whether through medication, self-help, or individual therapy or group support.”
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Those struggling with signs of alcohol use disorder should consult a medical professional for personalized guidance.
Fox News Digital reached out to several alcohol industry associations requesting comment.
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