Health · Public Health & Disease · 7 hrs ago
Giardia parasite found in 6.3% of cat samples tested in North America
Researchers tested more than 157,000 stool samples from domestic cats in 49 US states and five Canadian provinces for the parasite Giardia duodenalis.
They found the parasite in 6.3% of samples, and 18.5% of infected cats carried strains that may also infect people.
The parasite can cause giardiasis, an intestinal illness also known as “beaver fever.”
People most often get infected through contaminated water or food, but close contact with infected animal or human feces can also spread it.
Many people with healthy immune systems clear the infection within weeks, though severe cases can cause lasting symptoms, and people with weakened immune systems face greater risks.
Kittens tested positive more often than older cats, and male cats more often than females.
The researchers recommend regular stool tests for cats to help detect infections early.
Researchers detected Giardia in 6.3% of more than 157,000 domestic cat stool samples tested in the United States and Canada.
The samples came from 49 US states and five Canadian provinces.
Among infected cats, 18.5% carried strains that could potentially infect humans.
Kittens and male cats tested positive more often than older and female cats.
Experts recommend regular stool tests to detect infections early.
- Who
- Researchers led by veterinarian Margaret Wingerd studied domestic cats.
- What
- Giardia was detected in 6.3% of more than 157,000 cat stool samples. Some infected cats carried strains that could potentially infect humans.
- When
- The study date is not stated.
- Where
- The samples came from 49 US states and five Canadian provinces.
- Why
- The study examined cats for Giardia, a parasite that can also infect humans.
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- Positive samples
- 6.3%
- Samples tested
- More than 157,000
- Sample coverage
- 49 US states and five Canadian provinces
- Potentially human-infective strains
- 18.5% of infected cats
- Kittens testing positive
- About 11%, compared with 1.3% of older cats
What people are saying
voluminous, foamy, fatty diarrhea
Sources
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