A “mind-bending” disease found in cat faeces and spread to human brains has been enlisted in Gareth Morgan’s war on moggies.

About 40 per cent of people in New Zealand are infected at some time in their lives with toxoplasmosis – an incurable disease caused by a parasite that lives only in cat faeces and has been linked to a raft of psychological disorders.

They include schizophrenia, impaired memory, suicidal thoughts, risky behaviour, poor concentration, headaches, extreme fatigue and a higher risk of post-natal depression and self-harm in new mothers.

Although usually dormant in healthy people, the disease could flare up at any time, in ways that were only just being understood, Morgan said.

About the Author

Gareth Morgan

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Gareth Morgan is a New Zealand economist and commentator on public policy who in previous lives has been in business as an economic consultant, funds manager, and professional company director. He is also a motorcycle adventurer and philanthropist. Gareth and his wife Joanne have a charitable foundation, the Morgan Foundation, which has three main stands of philanthropic endeavour – public interest research, conservation and social investment.