Pat Denzer, the founder of Pat's Bandits, says the health department's press release is premature. They're still testing the raccoons, and she hasn't heard from regular volunteers of any gastrointestinal issues.
"I'm trying to cooperate thoroughly with them (IDPH)," Denzer said. "I don't like the fact that people are sick. My heart breaks for anybody that has gotten sick. I practically live with these babies; they're my heart and soul. I haven't gotten sick. My gals that volunteer two-three-four times a week haven't gotten sick."
Denzer says the rehabilitation center is fecal testing a batch of raccoons over three days. The fecal specimens should be sent on Monday, according to Denzer, and it will take about three days to hear results.
Denzer says the center has proper protocols, including hand-washing stations, arm guards, gloves, and smocks. She has been running the center for nine years, but this is the first time she's had to worry about a possible outbreak.
The IDPH released a press release this evening saying at least 12 people are being monitored with probable and confirmed diseases of cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis causes watery diarrhea that can be intermittent over a period of weeks. Symptoms generally begin two to 10 days after infection. The people are from Iowa and four Illinois counties.
"Raccoons can get diarrhea from a change in foods, which they've been going from formula to puppy chow, so they'll have diarrhea," Denzer said. "A change in their feeding schedule will throw them off. So yeah, has some of them gotten diarrhea? Yes. A change in feeders will throw them off; changing time schedules will throw them off."
The timeline is from June 22 to July 3rd, and the IDPH advises anyone who volunteered at the rehabilitation center to seek medical attention for testing.
Rock Island County Health Department Administrator George Verástegui says they're working with IDPH.
"Once we the have list of all volunteers we are going to contact them and ask for symptoms and further testing. So far no confirmed cases in Illinois," Verástegui said over email.
WVIK contacted the Illinois Department of Public Health. We'll update the web story when we have more information.
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