What is a common illness found in raccoons that poses risks to human health?

Raccoons are known carriers of rabies, a viral disease that can have serious implications for human health. Rabies is primarily transmitted through bite wounds or scratches from an infected animal, leading to inflammation of the brain and eventually resulting in death if not treated promptly after exposure. This is particularly concerning with raccoons, as they often inhabit areas close to human populations and can exhibit unusual behavior when infected, thereby increasing the likelihood of interactions with humans.

While other diseases like leptospirosis and distemper can also affect raccoons, they are not as directly associated with human transmission. Canine parvovirus primarily affects dogs and is not a disease that poses the same direct risk to human health as rabies. Thus, rabies distinctly stands out as the illness that presents a significant risk due to its zoonotic nature and the potential for transmission from raccoons to humans.