Drop bears, New Zealand‘s real sneaky menace is small, fluffy, and perhaps cuddled up on your sofa. As much as Kiwis adore their cats (with 40 per cent of the population owning one or more, Companion Animals NZ states), not many know that their feline friends are infested by Toxoplasma gondii, a small parasite with a flair for drama.The Feline CulpritToxoplasma gondii grows in cat guts and is shed out in cat feces in the form of eggs (oocysts). These eggs can then hide in soil, water, or even your hands after getting your hands dirty gardening. Up to 43 per cent of New Zealanders may be harboring the parasite- one of the highest proportions in the world. For most people, it’s nothing, no worse than a cold. But for around 40,000 Kiwis, the parasite infects the eye, causing inflammation, scarring, and even permanent blindness. That’s 10,000 New Zealanders who may have lost their sight- sometimes overnight.
The Eye-Opening RealityOtago University nurse Danielle Wilson learned the hard way. Her eye grew cloudy and hurt one day. Diagnosis: ocular toxoplasmosis. Treatment: a daily regimen of hourly eye drops, antibiotics, and steroids for 18 months, with a kicker: the parasite can lie low and re-activate whenever it wants, so every twinge is cause for worry.
Otago eye doctor Dr. Francesc March de Ribot examines young patients- occasionally even medical students- whose dreams are dashed by sudden loss of sight. “When the inflammation goes, it leaves a scar, and the vision is never going to return,” he says.Science, StymiedEven at this extent of the problem, New Zealand’s quest for better treatments is constrained by budgetary challenges. Professor Bruce Russell’s team at Otago discovered possible new drugs, but their grant application was rejected. The laboratory closed in 2023, and research has headed offshore. “The developed world has forgotten parasites largely,” Russell laments, even as T. gondii continues to wreak havoc- not just among humans, but also native animals and livestock.

The Quirky TwistHere’s the mind-bending aspect: T. gondii has the ability to control animal behavior. The parasite-infected mice become relaxed in the presence of cats, becoming easy prey. Some researchers even half-jokingly say that our nation’s cat mania could be the result of the parasite. Who’s ultimately calling the shots?What Can You Do?- Immunocompromised or pregnant? Avoid raw meat, unpasteurised milk, and wearing gloves when touching cat litter or soil.
– Cat owners: Wash litter every day, cover sandpits, and hand wash after gardening.
– Everyone: Be aware of your risks-sometimes the greatest dangers are the most insidious.

And so it’s a classic Kiwi story: cats, a hidden danger, and a plea for more science. Just remember-next time your mog fixes you with that enigmatic gaze, it may well be hatching something. or it might be the parasite issuing the orders.