A rare disease that can be transmitted through contact with raccoon feces has left one New York City teenager partially blind and an infant brain damaged. The city’s Department of Health has issued an alert for Raccoon Roundworm, or Baylisascaris procyonis, which can cause nausea, loss of muscle control, tiredness, and more severe symptoms, like coma, blindness, brain damage and enlarged liver.

Baylisascaris procyonic can infect a variety of animals and humans. Roundworm, which develops in the small intestines of a raccoon, produces millions of eggs that are passed in the animal’s feces. Humans become infected when they accidentally ingest infective eggs in soil, water and objects that have been contaminated with raccoon feces. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that before the recent diagnoses, fewer than 25 cases of raccoon roundworm were reported in the United States as of 2003. Click here for more about the rare disease from the CDC.

The New York Daily News reports that several parents in the area are now terrified of the parasitic disease.

"It’s terrifying. God only knows how I would react if my kids became that ill," said Bay Ridge mom of two, Angelia Kane, 38. "The concern for me would be kids being kids. I have a 3-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. When they’re slightly out of sight, they’re going to pick up something in the course of their normal behavior and put their filthy hands in their mouths."

New York City parents, who were already concerned about the swine flu, may be extra careful bringing their children to the playground.