How in the world can someone think our fluffy cute cats are dangerous for us?
Back in the history, cats were chased by humans as if they were devil creatures. In fact, the black death was caused by the massive killing of cats perpetrated by the catholic church in the 14th century, under the excuse that cats were made by the devil. Faster than lightning the consequences arose. The rats reproduced massively, causing horrible diseases that almost led humanity to its extinction. Like this, many other events were caused by the killing of cats, proving that those animals are more necessary than we can think.
Today there are more than 95 million cats in the United States alone. This means at least one third of the population owns one or more cats. In spite of this, hatred and ignorance about cats still exists. A large number of people think that cats transmit serious diseases such as Toxoplasmosis, particularly pregnant women because they typically have weakened immune systems. Parents sometimes take it to the next level and prohibit their children from touching cats out of fear that they could be infected.
But… How true is this?
First off, it’s due to explain how Toxoplasmosis works. It is a parasitic disease caused by an obligate intracellular, parasitic alveolate called toxoplasma Gondii. The symptoms are: body aches, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, fatigue, lung problems, blurred vision, sometimes eye infection and even seizures.
This parasite infects mainly birds and rats and its initial stage is in the water. Cats usually prey rats and birds, and this is the source where they get infected from.
The parasite basically "brainwashes" rat's and bird's brain, making them to lose fear and get close to the cat, exactly like zombies.
The cat has a strong instinct for hunting small preys and that's what the parasite wants.
“It is quite possibly the most successful parasite on the planet"
Says doctor Michael Ernest Grigg, an expert in molecular parasitology, in an interview for New York Times.
Myths
Myth number 1: Being infected with the parasite is mortal.
According to the centers for disease control and prevention:
In the United States it is estimated that 11% of the population 6 years and older have been infected with Toxoplasma. In various places throughout the world, it has been shown that up to 95% of some populations have been infected with Toxoplasma. Infection is often highest in areas of the world that have hot, humid climates and lower altitudes.
This seems to be a huge number of people infected by this disease. However, not all of them have the symptoms. Maybe you have toxoplasmosis, but you haven’t even noticed it.
Why does this happen?
The toxoplasma Gondii, causes reactions only on people with weakened immune symptoms, such as HIV/AIDS patients, people who are receiving chemotherapy, patients who recently had an organ transplant or babies that haven’t been born yet (pregnant women).
Healthy people who are infected with toxoplasmosis, normally have no symptoms and aren’t even aware that they are infected.
Myth number 2: Only cats transmit it
This is a very big misconception. People with a weakened immune system and pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting toxoplasmosis from eating under cooked meat from contaminated water than from the family cat and its litter box.
In fact, a study made in Europe concludes the following:
“Risk factors most strongly predictive of acute infection in pregnant women were eating undercooked lamb, beef, or game, contact with soil, and travel outside Europe and the United States and Canada. Contact with cats was not a risk factor. Between 30% and 63% of infections in different centres were attributed to consumption of undercooked or cured meat products and 6% to 17% to soil contact.”
Why is it so hard to get infected by cats?
The probability of getting infected by a cat is very low. To get this disease, a series of factors are necessary. The following reasons prove why it is very unlikely that it happens.
1) The cat has to be recently infected.
Once the cat gets infected, it will shed the parasite in its feces for two weeks. After that period of time has passed, the parasite will remain in the cat’s body, but the cat will not shed the parasite anymore. Studies show that the cat can shed the parasite after 1 year, but again, only for 2 weeks.
2) You have to touch the cat’s feces and don’t wash your hands.
You have to touch the cat’s feces without washing your hands. The only way to get affected by this parasite is by ingestion. You need to be dirty enough from cleaning the litter box and not wash your hands after. That way, if your hands are still covered in feces, it can get into your food
3) Your immune system has to be weakened.
Healthy people are immune to this disease, and they can carry it for the rest of their lives with no problems.
4) You cat must have been eaten an infected bird or rat.
If your cat is always indoors, the probabilities of it acquiring the parasite are very low.
5)The eggs of the parasite aren’t infectious until they’ve been out of the cat’s body for 1-5 days.
This means that if you clean the litter box and your house often, the eggs will not have time to hatch.
All of those reasons make it very difficult for your cat to transmit you Toxoplasmosis. The cute little creature is free of all guilty!
However…
Take care of your cat and be clean.
1) Make sure the cat litter box is clean. This way, you can avoid the parasite to survive and spread.
2) Use disposable gloves to clean the litterbox and wash your hands afterwards.
3) Have another person clean the litterbox if you are pregnant or with a health problem.
4) Don’t let your cat out. Keeping your cat indoors reduces the possibilities of it hunting a bird or a rat. Most cats that live indoors, are safe from this parasite.
5) Don’t feed your cat with uncooked meat. A lot of people think that uncooked meat is healthier for their cats, but that’s not true. Dried food for cats, are specially made for them to be healthy and prevent parasites.
Conclusion
Toxoplasma vaccine, has not been invented yet. Neither for cats nor for humans. Scientists are working hard to find a cure. However, you shouldn't be afraid about your cat, especially if you keep it indoors. The risk of being infected by your cats is very low, and as long as you take care of it and clean, nothing will happen to you. Remember that if you are pregnant or your immune system is not in optimal conditions, you should ask for help to clean their bathroom. Never get rid of your cat, cats are pure love :)
