Is cat poop dangerous?

[jakeXT]

(CNN) -- Cat poop could be a "vast and underappreciated" public health problem, according to Drs. E. Fuller Torrey and Robert H. Yolken.

The pair on Tuesday published a paper on the dangers of Toxoplasma oocysts, which are found in cat poop, in the journal Trends in Parasitology.

In the journal article, Torrey and Yolken call for better control of the feral cat population and more research on the parasites. In the meantime, CNN asked the doctors how we can keep our families safe. Torrey and Yolken responded to the questions via e-mail.

CNN: We've heard that cat poop can be dangerous for pregnant women. Should other people be wary, too?

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/09/health/expertqa-cat-poop-risks/index.html

Although dealing with all kinds of parasites, it reminded me of all the "Monsters Inside Me" episodes.

A child is infected with toxoplasma that threatens to take his sight.

[Warpy]

1. I'm immunosuppressed, so I've always gloved to take care of the litter box

I also treat scratches with antibiotic goo immediately.

Cat bites have required the ER and worse.

[Bannakaffalatta]

2. It's not specisl

All excreta can be full of parasites and their eggs, as well as viruses and bacilli.
The excreta of carnivores tends to be more dangerous - so don't use it as fertilizer! - and of humans, most dangerous of all to humans, because we are susceptible to all of the same disease organisms, while some canine, feline and rodent pathogens can't transfer between species.
But never mind, mosquitoes are far more effective carriers.

[cate94]

3. One of my brothers adopted two feral cats

He died of complications due to AIDS. Toxoplasmosis. So it is dangerous if you have the wrong cat and if you have AIDS.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. I'm a pet sitter so I clean a lot of catboxes.

I sometimes wear disposable plasic gloves. If I don't have those then I always really wash my hands well. I do the same if I have to pick up poop from dogs. I use a poop bag but I also wash my hands really well.

It doesn't hurt to be careful. I've never known anyone or even heard of anyone who got sick from cleaning the cat box but it might be possible.