People whose cats spend most of their time outdoors may want to think twice before cleaning out their litter box.
Nursing student Christine warned in a TikTok that the box could be infested with the disease toxoplasmosis — which can cause flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, trigger vision problems and even death.
While most infected people don't suffer any symptoms, the elderly and pregnant women are most at risk. And fetuses that are infected are at a higher risk of developing vision problems and developmental delays.
Outdoor cats pick up the parasite after eating wild animals like birds and rodents, and then release it in their feces. Indoor cats are unlikely to get infected.
People may become infected while cleaning cat litter and getting the microscopic parasite on their hands. But experts say it is more common to catch toxoplasmosis from unwashed vegetables and dirty food surfaces.
Christine, a nursing student, posted the clip online, saying she was now going to take these precautions while cleaning out her cat's litter
Posting the clip of herself wearing gloves and a face mask, Christine wrote: ‘How I clean the litter box now after learning about toxoplasmosis.'
The clip has gone viral on TikTok, and now been viewed more than 900,000 times and liked by 71,000 people.
Advice from the Cleveland Clinic also recommends wearing a face mask while cleaning cat litter, but studies suggest the disease cannot transmit through the air.
Humans catch the disease by accidentally handling objects that are contaminated with the pathogen and then touching their mouth, introducing the infection.
The disease is normally diagnosed via a blood test to check for antibodies against the disease.
One user commented, ‘Omg, my mom contracted toxoplasmosis from our kitten's litter tray when she was heavily pregnant. Literally a parasite.'
And a second added: ‘Stop! My female cat just had babies and is bringing gofers and mice to the front door, but she's not eating them — should I be worried?'
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and is relatively common in the US — with 40million people estimated to be infected overall.
Many patients do not suffer symptoms, but warning signs include muscle aches, fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.
The immune system can often fight off the parasite, but it may persist in the body for decades inside tiny sacs called cysts. If the immune system should weaken, these may then explode and trigger a new infection.
To treat the infection, healthcare providers use a combination of anti-parasitic medications and antibiotics.
Previously, pregnant women and vulnerable people were advised to avoid cats by the CDC — but this is no longer the case.
Shown above is the life-cycle of toxoplasmosis. Cats tend to pick it up from eating infected wild animals. They may then release the parasite in their feces, which can infect humans
Pictured above is an outdoor cat. Experts warn these felines may pick up toxoplasmosis
Experts at Cornell University said: ‘Because cats only shed the organism for a short time, the chance of human exposure via cats they live with is relatively small.
‘Owning a cat does not mean you will be infected with Toxoplasma.
‘Frequent removal of feces from the litter box, while wearing gloves and washing hands afterward, minimizes the possibility of infection.'
They added: ‘It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat, because they usually do not carry the parasite in their fur.
‘It is also unlikely that you would become infected through cat bites or scratches.
‘In the US, people are much more likely to catch the disease by eating raw meat and unwashed fruits and vegetables than by handling cat feces.'
However, a new infection in a pregnant woman that is passed on to a fetus is of particular concern, experts say.
Babies with the infection may appear normal at birth, but then start to show signs of the infection months to years afterward.
These may include vision problems, developmental delays or learning difficulties.
