The Oregonian reports:
“Our concern is that because it has been sensationalized and interpreted as, ‘Your cat can make you sick,’ that really is missing the most dangerous part of toxoplasmosis and human infestation,” says Dr. Theresa Cornwell of Cat Care Professionals in Lake Oswego. “You’re much less likely to get toxoplasmosis from your cat as you are from fruits and vegetables or meat that is contaminated.”
“People tend to forget that the consumption of uncooked or partly cooked meat can be perhaps a more significant source of infection for toxoplasmosis,” agrees state public health veterinarian Dr. Emilio DeBess.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite toxoplasmosis as the third-leading cause of food-borne illness and death. Half of the 750 deaths attributed to toxoplasmosis each year are believed to be caused by eating contaminated meat, according to the CDC.
Full Story: Oregon Live: The truth about toxoplasmosis: the kitchen more likely source than your cat
July 20, 2012 at 6:36 am
Since the life cycle of Toxoplama gondii requires a cat, then it should go without saying that every incident of Toxoplamosis infection has involved a cat at some stage, even if it was not immediately prior to infection.