Raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis infects Oklahoma toddler - Outbreak News Today - Outbreak News Today
NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews According to a KJRH in Oklahoma report, a 17-month-old toddler has contracted the potentially very serious raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis. Image by edbo23 from Pixabay The parents, Colten and Alycia Barnes were dealing with the unknown since the Thanksgiving holiday when 17-month-old son Ryder demonstrated symptoms. After hearing things like "It's just a virus" and seeing their son only get worse, they sought out the help and expertise of a pediatric neurologist where still after a period of time they finally diagnosed the boy with the dangerous parasite. The report states the child is in rehab and should be home in several weeks. Baylisascaris procyonis is a roundworm found in the small intestines of raccoons. They excrete the eggs of this parasite in their feces. The eggs can survive in the environment for years under favorable conditions. There can be millions of eg...