Am I at risk for contracting a zoonotic disease from my cat?
Current evidence supports the fact that pets pose a minimal zoonotic risk to their human companions. Cats kept indoors are exposed to fewer diseases that could be transmitted to humans. Your risk may be slightly higher if you fall into one of the following groups: People with compromised immune systems from disease or medications People with AIDS/HIV People on chemotherapy or receiving radiation therapy People who are elderly or have chronic diseases People born with congenital immune deficiencies People who have received organ or bone marrow transplants Pregnant women (a fetus’s immune system is not fully developed, and the pregnant woman’s immune system is altered so that she won’t reject the fetus) If you fall into one of these categories, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your pet! It simply means that you should take some basic precautions such as not contacting your cat’s feces directly, monitoring for any signs of illness in your cat and washing your hands after extensive hand
