Rare strain of cat parasite found in US that could be dangerous to humans

Between 2020 and 2022, on the coast of Californiathe bodies of four dead sea otters were found - these are predatory marine mammals that are related to otters, badgers and ferrets. These creatures are also known as "sea beavers", but this definition is not correct, because they are predators, and beavers are rodents. During the study of the dead sea otters, it was found that they were infected with parasites of the genus Toxoplasma, which are carried by wild and domestic cats. For the most part, they do not cause severe harm to people and animals, and their carriers are about 50% of the world's population. However, in this case we are talking about a rare strain of Toxoplasma, which scientists dealt with only back in 1995. The fact that the parasite was able to kill adult and healthy predators suggests that it can be deadly to humans as well.

Cat parasite threatens sea otter populations and possibly human health

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that lives in cats.

Toxoplasma gondii parasites live in catsin wild specimens as well as in domestic ones. Breeding inside them, they go outside along with feces and begin to look for other hosts. Toxoplasma infection occurs through contact with cat waste, so it is always recommended to wear gloves when cleaning the litter box and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards. Infection can also occur through bites along with saliva, or contact with Toxoplasma-infected water.

The main carriers of toxoplasmosis are cats.

When Toxoplasma gondii enters the body,humans and animals develop the disease toxoplasmosis. Parasites can take up residence in the brain, nervous or lymphatic system, eyes, skeletal muscles, and many other organs. In most cases, the disease proceeds without symptoms. However, the transmission of parasites from the mother can cause the death of the infant. Also, toxoplasmosis is dangerous for people with weak immunity.

Toxoplasma is very dangerous for children and immunocompromised people.

Here are some interesting facts about toxoplasmosis:

• in 2022, scientists found that toxoplasmosis helps wolves become pack leaders;
• Toxoplasma is one of the parasites thatable to control the minds of people and animals. It is believed that people infected with them take risks more easily, have a slow reaction, are less inquisitive and more frank;
• people infected with toxoplasmosis over timeacquire more beautiful facial contours - this increases the likelihood of contact with a large number of sexual partners, which is necessary for parasites to spread;
• it is believed that people adore cats because they are "told" by parasites living in the brain.

deadly strain of toxoplasma

According to SciTechDaily, found onsea ​​otters were infected not with the usual toxoplasma. In their bodies, they found a huge amount of Toxoplasma strain COUG, which had previously been discovered only in 1995 in Canadian mountain lions. According to researcher Karen Shapiro, this was a big surprise because this strain had never been found in sea otters or any other animal in California.

sea ​​otter sea otter

All four sea otters were found to have seriousinflammation of fatty deposits. Scientists were also surprised that Toxoplasma was found in large quantities in all organs of animals, except for the brain. Most likely, they became infected with parasites through storm drains.

Dangerous strain of toxoplasmosis COUG can be transmitted through water

According to the researchers, the strain of toxoplasmosisCOUG requires careful study because it can be dangerous even for humans. They believe that if you evaluate the health of other animals in California, toxoplasmosis may be found in them. This strain can be found in seafood, so they need to be cooked carefully to prevent contamination.

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If you want to learn more about toxoplasmosis,read our article "A parasite living in the body of 50% of people - who is it and why is it dangerous?". In it, we showed Toxoplasma under a microscope, and also talked about what it does in the eyes of a person, how it is transmitted and how many people in the world are infected with it. Toxoplasma can even be found in your domestic cats, so you need to know everything about them!