Cat pathogens killing 550 people a year, say researchers

Scientists reveal the hidden cost of cat-borne pathogens

Cats might be contributing to about 550 deaths and 8500 hospitalisations in Australia annually through the spread of pathogens, scientists claim.

Australian researchers from the Federal Government’s National Environmental Science Program and colleagues say they are the first to quantify the human health impacts and costs of diseases such as toxoplasmosis, cat roundworm and cat scratch infections.