Deana Mcreynolds, DVM

Sources for cat diseases affecting humans.

Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious
Diseases,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1995. Recommendations for
Veterinarians: How to Prevent Transmission of Intestinal Roundworms from Pets
to People. at http://www.cde.gov/ncidod/diseases/roundwrm/roundwrm.htm

Free-roaming and feral cats-their impact on wildlife and human beings.
JAVMA, Vol. 212, January, 15, 1998. Vet Med Today, Special Report


CATS INDOORS, The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats. American Bird
Conservancy. September 24, 1997. "Roundworm and Hookworm" , Page 15. Technical
Advisory Committee. James E. Childs, ScD,Chief, Epidemiology Section. Viral
and Rikettsial Zoonose Branch, National Centers of Infectious Disease, Center
for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Page 15 states that --. Roundworm can be transmitted to people who
accidentally ingest the parasite's eggs containing larvae. If children or
adults accidentally ingest the eggs, the eggs hatch, and in the infective
stage migrate through the liver, lungs and other organs and tissues where they
produce damage and induce allergic responses. Infection may leave children
with permament visual or neurological damage. Roundworm can remain infective
in the soil for a prolonged period. Drugs are available to kill this parasite
in cats and people.
Page 15 also states that --Hookworm, a type of roundworm that lives in a cat's
digestive tract, can infect human skin, causing lesions. People acquire
hookworm larvae through contact with wet sand, for example, children,
electricians, plumbers, and other workers who crawl beneath buildings, and
sunbathers. The larvae can remain alive and travel in the skin for up to
several months. Drugs are available to combat infection in cats and people.

So- those not my words. I just want to point out to people that they should be
careful around roaming and feral animals, especially the animals' feces.
Especially gardeners and children who play in the dirt or sand.

Another souce is --American Bird Conservancy, 1250 24th Street NW, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20037. E-mail <ABC at ABCBIRDS.ORG>, September 24, 1997

E. Kridler
Sequim, Wa.
ekridler at


d.mcreynolds at att.net wrote:

> 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
> >