An estimated one-third of the world’s population carries the Toxoplasma parasite, yet the serious health consequences of infection remain widely overlooked. One of the most devastating complications is ocular toxoplasmosis, an eye infection that can damage the retina and lead to permanent vision loss. Although toxoplasmosis is often regarded as an unavoidable consequence of everyday interactions between people, animals and the environment, experts say the disease is both preventable and controllable. Now, an international team of researchers is urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to formally recognise toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), arguing that doing so would strengthen global efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat the infection.
The call comes in a new international paper led by Associate Professor João Furtado of the University of São Paulo and Professor Justine Smith of Flinders University. Bringing together experts from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, the authors contend that toxoplasmosis has long been underestimated despite its widespread impact on human health. Senior author Professor Smith, an internationally recognised ophthalmologist from FHMRI Eye & Vision at Flinders University, says toxoplasmosis is a leading infectious cause of vision loss worldwide but remains largely absent from global public health priorities. She believes formal WHO recognition would increase awareness of the disease while driving research, prevention and improved patient care.
People can become infected with Toxoplasma by eating undercooked meat, consuming contaminated food or water, or coming into contact with cat faeces. Infection during pregnancy is particularly concerning because the parasite can be transmitted to the unborn baby, potentially causing miscarriage or lifelong damage to the brain and eyes. Many affected children experience vision problems that worsen over time. Associate Professor Furtado says the disease is frequently misunderstood as unavoidable when, in reality, its transmission routes are well established and effective preventive measures already exist.
According to the researchers, the greatest burden falls on disadvantaged communities where access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, safe food and prenatal care is limited. These inequities contribute to the most severe outcomes, including blindness, but many cases could be prevented through practical public health interventions. Improved food safety, better sanitation, access to clean drinking water and expanded antenatal care could substantially reduce infections and their lifelong consequences. The researchers argue that prevention strategies are both achievable and cost-effective, particularly when integrated into existing maternal and child health programmes.
Despite affecting millions of people globally, toxoplasmosis receives far less research funding and policy attention than many diseases with comparable or even lower health impacts. The authors say the WHO designation as a neglected tropical disease would help unlock resources for research, surveillance, prevention and treatment while encouraging countries to incorporate toxoplasmosis into primary healthcare, maternal health services and food safety programmes. Recognition would also strengthen the disease’s place within the global One Health framework, promoting coordinated action across human, animal, agricultural and environmental sectors to reduce transmission.
The researchers point to the success of other diseases that have gained momentum following NTD classification, leading to increased investment, stronger public health programmes and better health outcomes. They believe toxoplasmosis deserves the same level of international attention, particularly as the WHO’s NTD strategy emphasises health equity, integrated care and multisectoral collaboration. “At a time when the WHO NTD framework emphasises equity, integration and multisectoral action, toxoplasmosis represents a clear and actionable gap that warrants corrective action,” says Professor Smith. “Our statement is a call to action to finally address the unacceptable global health burden of toxoplasmosis.”
More information: João Marcello Furtado et al, Toxoplasmosis meets the World Health Organization criteria for a neglected tropical disease, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014425
Journal information: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Provided by Flinders University
