The Center [sic] for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov
has numerous warnings on their web page about the raccoon roundworm (also
carried by skunks).  The parasite is deadly to both animals and humans.
Following is the latest article dated Dec. 2003.  The CDC thinks this is
under diagnosed in humans, as the only accurate diagnose is to autopsy
the brain after death.  The parasites are carried in raccoon feeces, but
they travel to grass and are then ingested by animals.  Human babies
crawling on the infected grass are possibly at greatest risk, but if
you're picnicking or playing on the grass you can easily infect yourself.
 
Raccoon Roundworm Eggs near Homes and Risk for Larva Migrans Disease,
California Communities
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no12/03-0039.htm
 
Keep your ferrets, other pets and kids away from areas where you know
there are raccoons.
 
Sandi
 
Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House
a non-profit animal shelter
14317 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
(206)365-9105
Open 6 days/week (closed Tue) or visit our on-line store at:
http://www.RabbitRodentFerret.org
[Posted in FML issue 4499]