Toxoplasma gondii, a coccidian protozoan. Worldwide, in mammals and birds.
Human infection is common.
Intermediate hosts of T. gondii include sheep, goats, rodents, swine, cattle, and birds. By eating raw or undercooked infected meat containing tissue cysts, or by the ingestion of infective oocysts in food or water contaminated with feline feces. Children may become infected by ingesting infective oocysts from dirt in sandboxes, playgrounds, and yards in which cats have defecated. Education and sanitary practices concerning handling of raw meats. Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after coming in contact with soil and cat litter pans.