Interesting that the most common vector for toxoplasmosis (based on this article) is the consumption of undercooked meat (not contact with cats or cat litter, which is the more common culprit in discussions of this disease in the media).
The conclusion section of this article states: There are many diseases that can be linked to transmission from cats. Many diseases are more likely to be encountered by outdoor cats that can acquire infections from hunting. Indoor cats are less likely to be sources of human infections. Simple preventive measures, such as washing hands before eating, using gloves when gardening, changing the litter daily, and thoroughly cooking all meat, can reduce the risk of acquiring disease from a cat. Also, routine veterinary care, including appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and care for sick animals, should reduce the risk of disease transmission. Cats should not be thought of as vectors for disease transmission, but as sources of joy and companionship for their owners. Lest the cat-haters and dog-lovers get too smarmy over this thread, the article also describes several diseases that are also carried by dogs. (Feeling compelled to defend the kitties of the world.) _____________________________________________ Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. Director Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Associate Professor NSF UWF Faculty ADVANCE Scholar School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 – 5751 Phone: (850) 857-6355 or 473-7435 [email protected] CUTLA Web Site: http://uwf.edu/cutla/ Personal Web Pages: http://uwf.edu/cstanny/website/index.htm On Sun, Jul 8, 2012 at 4:27 PM, Michael Palij <[email protected]> wrote: > On Sun, 08 Jul 2012 13:54:26 -0700, Dr. Bob Wildblood wrote: > >My Vet, a female with two healthy children and who deals only with cats in > >her very busy practice, suggests that the only danger is if one actually > >ingests litter that is infected, That would suggest that the greatest > >danger to get toxoplasmosis may be in children who "play" in the cat > litter > >and then put their hands in their mouth. Of course some adults who deal > >with cats may do the same if they don't follow the simple rule to wash > >your hands after handling kitty litter. > > May I suggest: > http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=213193 > > Taxoplamosis is covered on the third page. The article is useful in > reminding one how many different illnesses cat can induce as > Ted Nugent fans can attest. > > And: > http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471492210000218 > > Note: cats get toxoplasmosis from ingesting mice or other carriers > but the bugs find cats a most supportive host. > > -Mike Palij > New York University > [email protected] > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d550&n=T&l=tips&o=18900 > or send a blank email to > leave-18900-13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=18901 or send a blank email to leave-18901-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
