# This Cat Parasite Infects Billions of People. Scientists Say We’ve Been Underestimating It

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-06-26 06:07 UTC · Category: Health

## Executive Summary
Researchers warn WHO that a common cat parasite poses severe risks to vision and pregnancy, affecting billions globally.

## Intelligence Brief
Scientists are warning that a parasite commonly associated with cats currently infects approximately one-third of the global population. The organism, identified in coverage as causing toxoplasmosis, is reported to pose serious risks to vision, pregnancy, and general neurological health.


Coverage from ScienceAlert, Gizmodo, and News-Medical emphasizes that experts believe the threat level has been historically underestimated. Reports indicate specialists are urging the World Health Organization to designate ocular toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease to spur further action.


Coverage does not yet specify whether the organization intends to grant the requested classification or issue new safety protocols.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| ScienceAlert | Parasite Affecting 1 in 3 People Is a Serious Risk to Human Health, Scientists Warn | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxNQnFNRW94emMyazBXNkRxMW1TS2hxd1p6WThDVl81SXF6ZzFHc0NjNU1Qa2ZsdmtIZmRFbGJ2S3M3MkgtdVV5dGs3ZHl4WFllMjNDd2NkNVNNbEtpUzktQ2Z6Qzh2TGU4NW5iYXV0OGZ6LXBvVEZUeFFGVlRMYnFUVktoaVlYU2ZGTk9hcUw1aWw2aG5Fd2o0Smh3c01SRzJON0FodC1vY3JOZ3NUc0NJNw?oc=5) |
| CPG Click Petróleo e Gás | Scientists Warn WHO: Cat-Linked Parasite Infects One-Third of Global Population, Poses Risks to Vision, Pregnancy, and Neurological Health | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAJBVV95cUxPUEZ6SDRPVFVLdFUyNW1SdElMQWw1cWU1WmZ6M0drLU9wWTNYT1JhUWdPYm40eGtha0V5WW5BRVQyNWtndkJSb1JORWlIdEt6Mm9RTVpydFZTd2JLMTR1ZG1RUGJYUzFqR0Nya0c2SU1vZVZJUjZ4SldRTmZTS2N0ZkhFMXkwWDJwN0F5WXh0N1BXNnVzcXRaXy10WGFRbncyUmUtOXRSV0hqdFVNNFg1eTNtaTRzUjJsSTNTcnlJd2UzWnNVRFQ1c2FVQ1RfMktJa2c0RG9wQmxHQXZwS21xS205cFdIT1JqU2VsYVlYX1Myb0h0amRXR3c2ekxMZzQxNk5EaTJ0U0c?oc=5) |
| Scientific Frontline | Toxoplasmosis: The Global NTD Push | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW0FVX3lxTFBxR0RHUnBRa0hET0NTS3dmMERPU3NrQWhxcEJiSUpVRTkwZjBjdklOYUVubmdPcW1ZQ3hjZEF5NTRvdlAtRlhKTVdnTDBORU0tY1FnUE9tWjVBZVU?oc=5) |
| News-Medical | Experts urge neglected tropical disease status for ocular toxoplasmosis | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxOZEUzbjkteHNqX2N0U0dTR25IZENqN2FHMF83Tk5QcFZ2UXg0Tm1iWVNKdUZEVldULTR1Tm5fWVFWdTE3ZENRV1J2NWI4LWhZSHBRbnc0LU40ejFtSEdfc0hZQ3ByQnNwOGVrOHpOVk9NN2dtVC1paHlFbDU2NFlrQ0t6ZnJSVmpBMzFUSElVODNOUEtuS2poOFloVE1BRm1QQzBFTGMxTXp2a19NMktnWktKeEx2UkhJU2tZ?oc=5) |
| Gizmodo | This Cat Parasite Infects Billions of People. Scientists Say We’ve Been Underestimating It | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxNRkNoOVAtZ1FwOWhXWnZRQ1p3YWtkYVo1Z3pVeENXdk4yMF95S194MExBUjdjblFmS3lVODJlU1lWYnIzV3g2V2wxaWFJclBONER6ZlV2LUM3aGF4OEtCaDhCQW82Y3luc0wyN0tMdnhkU19hdVVHWFdPbFVseF9LXzFaVHFWSDFXUFZfbGdkeGR2TTVjaGsxZVlGRlFmU0lyYVh2WGZwc2dIdTF1NGtSUW1fTWpiUVNYdEJF?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-06-26/this-cat-parasite-infects-billions-of-people-scientists-say-we-ve-been*