Study Warns That Common Parasite Found in Nearly 1 in 15 Household Cats May Impact Humans – Check Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention and More

Did you know that nearly 1 in 15 household cats across the US and Canada carry a parasite that’s harmful to humans as well? Not only that, at least one out of five infected cats can transmit it to humans.  For the study, researchers collected 150,000 samples from cats in 49 US states and five Canadian provinces. The parasite called Giardia duodenalis can cause multiple gastrointestinal issues among humans and animals.

Findings of the Study 

A recent study discovered that about one in 15 cats tested across the US and Canada were infected with Giardia duodenalis, a gastrointestinal parasite capable of causing diarrhea and other digestive problems in both animals and humans.

Published in PLOS One, the study analyzed over 150,000 cat samples collected throughout the US and Canada.

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The researchers detected Giardia in roughly one of every 15 cats that were tested. These results indicate that the parasite is fairly widespread within the feline population. The study also found that at least one in 5 cats is capable of transmitting the parasite to humans. 

What is Giardia Duodenalis?