This blog provides scientific facts, information and research regarding the growing spread of toxoplasmosis in our communities - and to our children, particularly in unprotected play areas. Over one third of the world's population is infected, and more than 60 million Americans, The US CDC states this "neglected parasite" is the second leading killer of food borne diseases.
"Babies born to infected women, and people with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe symptoms of toxoplasmosis."
For some people, toxoplasmosis is a serious condition.
At its worst, toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include flu-like swollen glands, muscle aches and pains, and some vision problems.
University of Montana Microbiology Professor Bill Granath tells KPAX-TV that some studies show the parasite can also cause personality changes that correlate with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and that some studies have also found infected women were more prone to suicide.
Various studies also correlate toxoplasmosis with suicide in veterinarians – and while nothing says definitively that the phenomenon is caused by the parasite – some believe there is a link,” the KPAX report said.
Cats are where Toxoplasma multiplies. Most people are also unaware when their cat gets infected with Toxoplasma.
Toxoplasma is spread in the feces of a cat infected with it, but cats rarely have symptoms of infection. Cats get it by eating infected rodents, which reportedly lose their fear of cats as a side-effect of their own Toxoplasma infection. When the rodents approach the cat, they are eaten and thus infect the cat.
The CDC recommends cat owners change their litter box daily, since Toxoplasma does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces; avoid handling or adopting stray cats; keep cats indoors; keep outdoor sandboxes covered and avoid feeding raw or undercooked meats to cats.
Toxoplasma is also found in uncooked and undercooked meat, poultry and shellfish. It can be spread by eating those foods, and by contact with utensils used to handle and prepare them.
"Babies born to infected women, and people with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe symptoms of toxoplasmosis."
For some people, toxoplasmosis is a serious condition.
At its worst, toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include flu-like swollen glands, muscle aches and pains, and some vision problems.
University of Montana Microbiology Professor Bill Granath tells KPAX-TV that some studies show the parasite can also cause personality changes that correlate with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and that some studies have also found infected women were more prone to suicide.
Various studies also correlate toxoplasmosis with suicide in veterinarians – and while nothing says definitively that the phenomenon is caused by the parasite – some believe there is a link,” the KPAX report said.
Cats are where Toxoplasma multiplies. Most people are also unaware when their cat gets infected with Toxoplasma.
Toxoplasma is spread in the feces of a cat infected with it, but cats rarely have symptoms of infection. Cats get it by eating infected rodents, which reportedly lose their fear of cats as a side-effect of their own Toxoplasma infection. When the rodents approach the cat, they are eaten and thus infect the cat.
The CDC recommends cat owners change their litter box daily, since Toxoplasma does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces; avoid handling or adopting stray cats; keep cats indoors; keep outdoor sandboxes covered and avoid feeding raw or undercooked meats to cats.
Toxoplasma is also found in uncooked and undercooked meat, poultry and shellfish. It can be spread by eating those foods, and by contact with utensils used to handle and prepare them.
Millones probablemente infectadas con el parásito que dañan el cerebro que viene de gatos
QUAD8 NOTICIAS 12 de noviembre 2014, de Shellie NELSON) Más de 60 millones de personas en los EE.UU. podrían estar llevando un parásito intratable que viene de gatos y de carne mal cocida. Esto es según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, que dice la mayoría de las personas que la padecen no saben que están infectadas con el Toxoplasma gondii. "Los bebés nacidos de mujeres infectadas, y las personas con sistemas inmunes debilitados, están en mayor riesgo de síntomas severos de toxoplasmosis." Para algunas personas, la toxoplasmosis es una enfermedad grave. En su peor momento, la toxoplasmosis puede causar daños en el cerebro, los ojos y otros órganos, según los CDC. Los síntomas pueden incluir glándulas gripales hinchadas, dolores musculares y dolores, y algunos problemas de visión. Universidad de Montana Microbiología Profesor Bill Granath dice KPAX-TV que algunos estudios muestran que el parásito también puede causar cambios de personalidad que se relacionan con problemas de salud mental como la esquizofrenia, el autismo y la enfermedad de Alzheimer, y que algunos estudios han encontrado también las mujeres infectadas eran más propensos a suicidio.
Diversos estudios también se correlacionan toxoplasmosis con el suicidio en los veterinarios - y aunque nada dice definitivamente que el fenómeno es causado por el parásito - algunos creen que hay un vínculo ", dijo el informe KPAX. Los gatos son donde se multiplica Toxoplasma. La mayoría de las personas también son conscientes cuando su gato se infecta con el Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma está diseminado en las heces de un gato infectado con él, pero los gatos rara vez presenta síntomas de infección. Los gatos se hacen por comer roedores infectados, que al parecer pierden su miedo a los gatos como un efecto secundario de su propia infección por Toxoplasma. Cuando los roedores se acercan al gato, que se comen y así infectar al gato. Los CDC recomiendan los dueños de gatos cambian su caja de arena todos los días, ya Toxoplasma no se convierte en infeccioso hasta 1 a 5 días después de que se elimina en las heces de un gato; evitar la manipulación o la adopción de gatos callejeros; mantener a los gatos en el interior; mantener cajas de arena cubiertas al aire libre y evitar la alimentación de las carnes crudas o poco cocidas a los gatos.
Toxoplasma también se encuentra en crudo y carne, aves y mariscos. Puede transmitirse por el consumo de esos alimentos, y por el contacto con los utensilios empleados para manipular y prepararlos.
Cuándo te vas de Cat Propietario a Crazy Cat Lady?
"Babies born to infected women, and people with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe symptoms of toxoplasmosis."
For some people, toxoplasmosis is a serious condition.
At its worst, toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include flu-like swollen glands, muscle aches and pains, and some vision problems.
University of Montana Microbiology Professor Bill Granath tells KPAX-TV that some studies show the parasite can also cause personality changes that correlate with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and that some studies have also found infected women were more prone to suicide.
Various studies also correlate toxoplasmosis with suicide in veterinarians – and while nothing says definitively that the phenomenon is caused by the parasite – some believe there is a link,” the KPAX report said.
Cats are where Toxoplasma multiplies. Most people are also unaware when their cat gets infected with Toxoplasma.
Toxoplasma is spread in the feces of a cat infected with it, but cats rarely have symptoms of infection. Cats get it by eating infected rodents, which reportedly lose their fear of cats as a side-effect of their own Toxoplasma infection. When the rodents approach the cat, they are eaten and thus infect the cat.
The CDC recommends cat owners change their litter box daily, since Toxoplasma does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces; avoid handling or adopting stray cats; keep cats indoors; keep outdoor sandboxes covered and avoid feeding raw or undercooked meats to cats.
Toxoplasma is also found in uncooked and undercooked meat, poultry and shellfish. It can be spread by eating those foods, and by contact with utensils used to handle and prepare them.
Your assistance is much appreciated, and "Please Tweet" - #ToxoTO - to register your support. Let's get make our sandlots and playgrounds safe for our children. Thanks.
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