Eugene and Tweeters,

Just wanted to add a clarification. In Washington, the
only known carrier of rabies are bats. While the rabies
virus can be transmitted to a variety of species, and is
found more commonly in raccoons in other parts of the
country, the only species that have been diagnosed with
rabies in Washington in the last 50 years are bats, and
1 human, known to have been exposed to bats. The reason
for this is due to the successful education of pet
owners and careful vaccination as recommended. Both
dogs and cats are equally susceptible to rabies (being
transmitted by exchange of body fluids, most commonly a
bite), but feral cats being far more common than feral
dogs, probably a higher number of cats are exposed to
the disease than dogs. Please note, there is no carrier
stage. Unvaccinated animals that are exposed to rabies
die. It just takes about 2 weeks for them to show
outward symptoms of the disease. Vaccinated animals are
never 100% protected, but that is the best we've got.

It is true that cats can carry Toxoplasmosis, that can
be transmitted to humans. It can cause birth defects,
so that's why it is particularly relevant to pregnant
women. It is transmitted primarily through a fecal/oral
route, meaning that someone must touch affected stool
with their bare hands, and then touch their mouth
without washing their hands. This is easily prevented
by wearing gloves when you garden, and washing your
hands before touching your mouth. We also caution
pregnant women to not clean out the litter box.

The important thing here is that while these things are
possibly contagious, with common sense they can easily
be avoided. I am interested in information on hookworm
and roundworm transmission to humans. I have never
heard of this occuring in the United States. Perhaps
you have a source?

Deana McReynolds, DVM
>
> Re Russell Link's cautioning people about raccoons feces and the
> transmission of diseases their feces to humans, especially children.
>
> Let's not forget roaming cats and the diseases they may carry that are
> also transmissable to humans - adults as well as children.
> The U.S. Center of Diseases Control and Prevention states that cats are
> the domestic animals more prone to carry rabies than dogs. Interesting.
> The parasite which causes Taxoplasmosis resides in the intestinal tract
> of cats, and diect contact with humans causes serious illnesses in
> children and pregnant women.
>
> Hookworm and Roundworm carried by cats can easily infect humans,
> especially children who are prone to play on the ground.
>
> So a word of caution. Raccoons AND roaming cats carry diseases which are
> transmissable to and cause serious illinesses to humans, especially
> children.
>
> Gene Kridler
> Sequim, Wa.
> ekridler at olympus.net
>