ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Feline zoonosis

Feline zoonosis is a big word that means cats can make people sick. When cats have germs or other things in their bodies that can cause illness, they can sometimes pass those things on to humans. This can happen if a person touches a cat that has germs on its fur or skin, or if a person comes in contact with the cat's poop or pee.

Some of the things that cats can give people include germs that cause infections like salmonella or ringworm, and parasites like tapeworms and fleas. Other things that people can get from cats include allergies and diseases like cat scratch fever, which happens when a cat scratch or bite breaks the skin and introduces bacteria into the body.

To avoid getting sick from cats, it is important to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after playing with or cleaning up after a cat. It's also a good idea to keep your cat healthy by taking them to the veterinarian regularly and keeping their living space clean. If you do get scratched or bitten by a cat, make sure to clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention if necessary.