A Michael Broad Blog
This is my opinion. I form my opinion from many years of reading these reports. I have noticed a trend: Australian scientists looking for ways to criticise the domestic cat for carrying the zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis. From time to time, Australian scientists like to get together to hatch a plan to denigrate the domestic …
I’ve decided that the zoonotic disease, toxoplasmosis, which often is discussed on the Internet negatively, is a risk management exercise for the pregnant mum. For me, the phrase “risk management” is appropriate in this instance. It’s about identifying and understanding the risk and mitigating the possibilities of infection. There is still some misunderstandings surrounding …
There is a disconnect between what we read about the seriousness of toxoplasmosis as stated on the Internet and what we experience in real life. Nobody is screaming and shouting about the damaging effect of toxoplasmosis on the human population in any area of the world. But if you believe what you read on …
Toxoplasmosis, the ‘litter tray parasite’, is good for business which means that by most people’s standards it is good for the world 🙂 This is because increased business activity means economic growth which in turn means the generation of wealth which filters down to increase overall well-being. Or the money stays at the top! …
A very recent study published online on 22 February 2017 debunks the theory that cats cause mental illness in people. This is an evergreen topic of discussion and there is conflicting information on the Internet as to whether the domestic cat causes mental illness amongst human companions because the cat is the primary host …
The online news media have once again misrepresented a scientific study. This happens a lot. It is all over the internet: that there might be a connection between cats and the worse type of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which is described as premenstrual dysphoric disorder. For example: ‘Why your cat might be causing your PMS …
It has been suggested (please note the word used) that the faeces of feral cats living on Hawaii have killed eight rare monk seals because the faeces contained the oocyts of T. gondii. We know that cats carry the disease. There are approximately 1,300 monk seals in existence in the wild so the death …
It has happened before (e.g a link with schizophrenia which fizzled out). Now we have an article in the online newspapers about a so-called “link” between toxoplasmosis and a human psychiatric condition known as intermittent explosive disorder (IED). I would like to comment on this in defence of the cat. Firstly, it is important …
