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Kinkajou Found to be Carrying Dangerous Parasite
March 18, 2011 12:21 PM
By Nina Sen
The kinkajou, a mammal native to the South America sometimes kept as a pet, has been found to harbor a parasite that can be fatal, U.S. officials warn.
Pet kinkajous in three states (Tennessee, Florida and Indiana) have been found to be infected with Balisacaris procyonis over the years. The parasites are common in raccoons and because kinkajous are part of the raccoon family, it?s likely the animal could carry the [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]disease[/COLOR][/COLOR].
"If the animal is infected with the roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, the infection can be spread from the animal to humans via feces contaminated with the eggs of the worm," the report says.
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March 18, 2011 12:21 PM
By Nina Sen
The kinkajou, a mammal native to the South America sometimes kept as a pet, has been found to harbor a parasite that can be fatal, U.S. officials warn.
Pet kinkajous in three states (Tennessee, Florida and Indiana) have been found to be infected with Balisacaris procyonis over the years. The parasites are common in raccoons and because kinkajous are part of the raccoon family, it?s likely the animal could carry the [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]disease[/COLOR][/COLOR].
"If the animal is infected with the roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, the infection can be spread from the animal to humans via feces contaminated with the eggs of the worm," the report says.
more...
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