This disease is transmissible to humans. Pregnant women are at a very high risk as the organism can pass through the placenta to the fetus and may cause birth defects or mental retardation. Cats are the main source of the organism but abortions from sheep also are a source of human infection. Pregnant women should be especially cautious of exposure from sheep at lambing time or contact with cats. The organism can live in the environment for up one year, therefore, cats can contaminate the garden, the flower bed or other places.
Sanitation is the main prevention.