In all my trapper ed classes I urge students to wear gloves at all times when handling any furbearer.
That being said, it never ceases to amaze me when I watch Greg Schroeder from North American Fur Auctions put fur up at the fall rondy and wearing . . . no gloves.
The raccoon roundworm is known as
Baylisascaris procyonis. Back in the 80s, if I recall correctly, Wisconsin trappers submitted 'coon carcasses to a lab in Madison and they determined a fair number of the 'coon contained these worms. And yes, they can transfer to humans, infect, and cause death. But, it's very rare.
Here's a good website describing the disease:
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/954973916.htmlI don't think one needs to get paranoid about handling critters. But, think like a dentist does. Those of us old enough remember a trip to the dentist office was much different back then as it is today. No gloves, no masks, and if the doc was an older fella, he probably clamped his thumb down on your X-ray plate in your mouth as he leaned back and pressed the button to zap your mouth with X-rays.
Professer I had in college claimed he could spot old dentists who practiced this technique by the lack of a left thumb. Many of them had it removed after cancer took over.
Anyway, dentists today act as if all their patients are HIV+. So . . I assume all my 'coon are rabid and full of worms. Gloves at all times. And if you're especially paranoid, you might wear a mask, but I haven't gone that route yet.
There was this fella up in northern Wisconsin back in the 80s who claimed to be the fastest 'coon skinner alive. The WTA was holding a trapper ed workshop up there, it's been awhile, but I believe that was the situation.
Anyway, I brought along a video camera and taped him skinning this 'coon. He was quick alright, but guess where he set his knife while he was yanking the hide off with both hands.
Yup . . . firmly clenched in his teeth.
And if memory serves correctly, I recall he had this sore near his lip . . . . well, you get the idea.