Scientists have called for toxoplasmosis to be listed as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Toxoplasma parasite can cause ocular toxoplasmosis, an eye infection that damages the retina and results in permanent vision loss.
People can become infected through eating raw or undercooked meat, contaminated produce or water, or exposure to cat feces. It only takes microscopic amounts of the feces to cause infection. In pregnancy, infection can be passed to the unborn baby, leading to miscarriage or damage to the brain and eye. Many affected children develop vision problems that worsen over time.