Experts: "High Possibility of Infection Among Other Individuals"
Low Risk of Spread Without Direct Contact With Humans
In Songdo International City in Incheon, a series of sightings have been reported of an animal in a pitiful condition, with all its fur lost, in urban parks. The animal has been identified as a raccoon.
According to Yonhap News on the 27th, Songdo residents have recently reported seeing animals with all their fur lost in places such as Songdo Waterfront Park. One resident said, "While taking a walk in the park in the evening, I saw an animal that looked like a mix between a raccoon and a goat. Several people I know have also seen such an animal, and although we couldn't identify it, it looked very pitiful."
On the afternoon of the 24th, a raccoon suspected of being infected with "Gaeseunchung" was moving along the waterfront promenade in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News
The outlet reported that on the afternoons of the 23rd and 24th, it filmed an animal with no fur on its body near the waterfront promenade by a high school in Songdo. Except for some fur on its head and tail, the animal appeared emaciated and hairless. One of the animals, despite sensing human presence, did not immediately flee but stared at the camera before slowly retreating into the bushes.
Seo Moonhong, an environmental researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources, explained after reviewing photos and videos of the animal that it was a raccoon infected with "Gaeseonchung" (mange mite). Gaeseonchung is a type of mite, measuring 0.3 to 0.4 mm in length. When these mites parasitize an animal, they cause severe itching. Seo stated, "The creature once referred to as the mysterious 'Chupacabra' was actually a coyote infected with Gaeseonchung. Raccoons are also often mistaken for other animals when they lose their fur." He added, "Since raccoons are social animals, if one is infected, there is a high possibility that others nearby will also become infected. Infection with Gaeseonchung indicates that both the individual animals and their surrounding habitat are in poor health."
On the afternoon of the 24th, a raccoon suspected of being infected with "Gaeseonchung" was moving along the waterfront promenade in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News
Jung Donghyuk, a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Chungbuk National University, also said, "A precise diagnosis would require a detailed test, but judging from the video, it is highly likely to be a raccoon infected with Gaeseonchung. Gaeseonchung is a disease commonly found in raccoons." He continued, "If raccoons are in close contact with each other, the infection can spread quite rapidly. However, although humans and other mammals can also be infected with Gaeseonchung, there is no risk of it spreading unless there is direct contact."
Previously, the Incheon Facilities Corporation put up banners in Songdo urban parks, warning that "if you approach too closely, you may be injured, so please keep a safe distance and pass by without interacting" due to frequent raccoon sightings. The local government of Yeonsu-gu, which has jurisdiction over the area, believes that raccoons have moved into urban parks as their original habitats in farmlands or forests have been developed. A Yeonsu-gu official stated, "In the past, we received reports of raccoons infected with Gaeseonchung and attempted to rescue them. If a rescue is possible, the animal will be sent to the Incheon Wildlife Rescue and Management Center."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
