A newly discovered cat parasite is being linked to mental illness and schizophrenia.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest actors are cat lovers including Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand, James Franco and Morgan Freeman. But did you know your cat can kill your acting career?
There is a little known parasite hiding behind that innocent-sounding meow, a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii).
According to CBSNews, T. gondii is the most common parasite in developed nations and the parasite can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. In addition, the CDC estimates more than 60 million people in the U.S. may have it.
Here are the typical symptoms:
Most people never suffer any symptoms at all. But in those with weaker immune systems, infection with T. gondii can cause an illness called toxoplasmosis, which can result in miscarriages, fetal development disorders, weeks of flu-like illness, blindness and even death. It has also been associated with mental disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Now two more studies explore the mental health issues in greater detail.
A new study has shown that the parasite is also linked to schizophrenia and mental illness. Researchers found a link between childhood cat ownership and the development of schizophrenia later in life. In addition, a recent study found that T. gondii infection is associated with mental disorders.
Results showed that an individual infected with T. gondii was almost twice as likely to develop schizophrenia. They also found an association with addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but say that the findings should be approached with caution.
“In schizophrenia, the evidence of an association with T. gondii is overwhelming,” the authors say in a press release. “These findings may give further clues about how T. gondii infection can possibly [alter] the risk of specific psychiatric disorders.”
The Humane Society estimates that there are 75 to 80 million pet cats and another 30 to 40 million stray cats in the United States. Outdoor casts have been known to be more likely to carry the T. gondii parasite. In addition, cats excrete millions of infected eggs, or oocytes, in their feces which can remain in the ground or water for years.
But, there are precautions you can take so you don’t risk your life nor your acting career.
“Children can be protected by keeping their cat exclusively indoors and always covering the sandbox when not in use,” Torrey told CBS News in an email. The CDC also recommends changing the cat’s litter box daily, since T. gondii does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in feces. In addition, avoid feeding cats raw or undercooked meat.
If you’re thinking about buying a pet cat, you may want to think twice – Your acting career depends on it.
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