The Seoul Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 20th that it will conduct infectious disease tests on wild raccoons appearing in urban areas.
The increase in encounters with wild raccoons in urban areas recently is a measure to prevent the spread of viruses.
According to the report titled 'Survey on the Status and Management Plans of Wild Raccoons Appearing in Seoul's Urban Areas' published by the Seoul Research Institute, raccoons were observed in 24 out of 25 autonomous districts. The number of raccoons rescued by firefighters and others in urban areas has also been trending upward, increasing from 63 cases in 2022 to 78 cases in 2023, and 117 cases last year.
Raccoons, which belong to the canine family, can contract virus and bacterial diseases similar to those of domestic dogs, which can transmit pathogens to humans and pets. Previously, a preliminary investigation conducted by the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment from last October to early this year found zoonotic infectious diseases and pathogens related to pets in the rescued raccoons and ticks.
The current tests will collect relevant samples from raccoons rescued from city parks, dwellings, and other areas, testing for 10 types of zoonotic infectious diseases and 13 major diseases affecting canine family animals. The city of Seoul plans to operate this year-round in collaboration with the wildlife rescue center.
Park Joo-seong, director of the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment, said, 'Based on the results of this test, we will establish scientific and systematic quarantine and health policies.'