Researchers call for toxoplasmosis to be recognized as a major health threat
研究人員呼籲將弓蟲症視為重大健康威脅
更新於: 2026年6月26日 上午08:45
A group of international researchers is urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to officially classify toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
一群國際研究人員正敦促世界衛生組織（WHO）正式將弓蟲症列為被忽視的熱帶疾病（NTD）。
Caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, this condition affects nearly one-third of the global population.
這種由弓蟲寄生蟲引起的疾病影響了全球近三分之一的人口。
While many healthy people remain asymptomatic, the infection can have devastating health consequences, particularly for the immunocompromised and pregnant women.
雖然許多健康的人不會出現症狀，但這種感染對免疫系統較弱的人和孕婦而言，可能會造成毀滅性的健康後果。
Transmission typically occurs through contaminated food, contact with cat feces, or congenital spread from mother to fetus.
傳染途徑通常是透過受污染的食物、接觸貓糞便，或是從母體垂直感染給胎兒。
Notably, the parasite is a leading cause of vision loss due to ocular toxoplasmosis and can lead to severe birth defects.
值得注意的是，這種寄生蟲是導致眼部弓蟲症失明的主因，並可能導致嚴重的先天性缺陷。
Despite its high prevalence and burden, toxoplasmosis currently lacks the funding and public awareness seen in other diseases.
儘管其盛行率與負擔很高，但弓蟲症目前缺乏其他疾病所擁有的資金與公眾意識。
By adopting a 'One Health' approach—integrating animal, environmental, and human health strategies—researchers believe we can effectively combat this preventable condition.
研究人員認為，透過採用「健康一體」（One Health）的方法——整合動物、環境與人類的健康策略——我們能有效對抗這種可預防的疾病。
Strengthening food safety and prenatal care is key to reducing transmission and protecting the most vulnerable populations from long-term neurological or visual impairment.
加強食品安全與產前護理是減少傳播，並保護最脆弱族群免受長期神經或視覺損傷的關鍵。
