Global push to recognise threat of toxoplasmosis
A new international paper is calling for toxoplasmosis to be formally recognised as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Published by PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Journal, the paper is authored by Associate Professor João Furtado from the University of São Paulo and Professor Justine Smith from Flinders University and has brought together experts from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. It stresses that the impact of toxoplasmosis on eyesight is significant but widely overlooked.
“Toxoplasmosis is a leading eye infection and a major cause of vision loss worldwide, yet it receives limited attention in global health agendas,” said Professor Smith. “With WHO’s recognition, we can make substantial progress in prevention and management of this infection.”
People can become infected through eating undercooked meat, contaminated produce or water, or exposure to cat faeces. In pregnancy, infection can be passed to the unborn baby, leading to miscarriage or permanent damage to the brain and eye. Many affected children develop vision problems that worsen over time.
