Cryptosporidium parvum outbreak associated with Raccoons at a Wildlife Facility—Virginia, May–June 2019

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasitic zoonotic pathogen responsible for diarrheal illness in humans and animals worldwide. We report an investigation of a cryptosporidiosis outbreak in raccoons and wildlife rehabilitation workers at a Virginia facility. Fifteen (31%) of 49 facility personnel experienced symptoms meeting the case definition, including four laboratory‐confirmed cases. Seven juvenile raccoons were reported to have diarrhoea; six had laboratory‐confirmed cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium parvum of the same molecular subtype (IIaA16G3R2) was identified in two human cases and six raccoons. Raccoon illness preceded human illness by 11 days, suggesting possible zoonotic transmission from raccoons to humans. This appears to be the first report of a human cryptosporidiosis outbreak associated with exposure to raccoons infected with C. parvum. Raccoons might be an under‐recognized reservoir for human C. parvum infections. Further study is needed to explore the prevalence of cryptosporidial species in raccoons and their role as a wildlife reservoir.

Detection of Endoparasites in Non-Native Raccoons from Central Italy

“…In accordance with the previous literature, the results of this parasitological investigation confirm the role of the raccoon as a host for several species of endoparasites, both Protozoa [ 27 ] and Helminths [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Among protozoal infections, cryptosporidiosis of raccoons has been documented in several countries: Illinois and Virginia, USA [ 18 , 32 , 33 ], Luxembourg [ 34 ], Poland [ 35 ], Germany [ 36 ], Iran [ 37 ], and Japan [ 27 ]. Cryptosporidiosis is a disease of significant human health concern because of the possibility of its transmission through contaminated water or food [ 38 ].…”

“…Several studies have been conducted on livestock and humans [ 39 ], but there is a lack of epidemiological data regarding wildlife [ 40 ]. In general, in raccoons, clinical presentation tends to be mild, consisting in intermittent diarrhea only in juveniles [ 33 ]. These data are consistent with the lack of typical intestinal lesions in the two adult raccoons found positive in the present study.…”

Cryptosporidium Transmission Dynamics: Bridging the Gap between Wildlife and Urban Environments

“…In severe cases, the infection can lead to death. In some species, such as deer and elk, cryptosporidiosis may not cause any visible symptoms making it difficult to detect and control the spread of the disease (Davis et al 2022).…”