Toxoplasma

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Cats are the definitive host for the organism although many warm-blooded animal species can be infected as intermediate hosts.

Infection can be acquired through

• contact with infected cat faeces
• eating infected meat

People most at risk include:

• pregnant women who can pass congenital toxoplasmosis on to their unborn child
• those with weakened immune systems

After an infected sheep has given birth, the T. gondii parasite is sometimes found in the afterbirth, as well as on newborn lambs. As a result, there's a small risk of toxoplasmosis infection passing from sheep to people during lambing season.