Cat Parasites & Humans
Zoonotic diseases are infections that can be passed from animals to humans. In some zoonotic infections, humans and animals will exhibit the same symptoms. In others, the infectious agent responds differently to human and cat anatomy. Zoonotic diseases can be fungal, viral, bacterial or animal.
Other People Are Reading
-
Roundworm
-
According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, roundworms (Toxascaris loenina and Toxocara cati) are the most common of the feline intestinal parasites. Eggs are excreted in feces and can be transmitted to humans via ingestion. Typically roundworm infections in humans are rare but can be serious, especially in small children.
Ringworm
-
Ringworm is a fungal disease that can live on a cat without the animal showing any signs of illness. The fungus can be transmitted from cats to humans through contact with infected skin, even if no symptoms are present. Sometimes, ringworm can result in a bald patch on your cat with a ring-shaped rash, according to the National Institutes of Health.
-
Hookworm
-
Hookworms are intestinal parasites that begin and end their life cycles in the small intestine of cats and humans. Hookworms enter the body through the foot and, in large numbers can be fatal, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases.
Toxoplasma
-
According to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 30 to 40 percent of adults worldwide have been infected by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma is transmitted from cats to humans via feces entering the blood stream, often via a scratch with a dirty claw. Toxoplasma is not generally dangerous to humans with the exception of pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects.
Bartonella
-
Bartonella henselae is the bacteria responsible for cat scratch fever, an infectious disease also transmitted from cats to humans via feces entering the bloodstream. Cats contract the bacteria by ingesting fleas. While cats typically don't exhibit any symptoms from bartonella infections, humans can experience fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and poor appetite, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cat image by Lori Boggetti from Fotolia.com
