How do Jains get toxoplasma infection?

Serological screening for antenatal toxoplasma infection in India

“…A high prevalence of toxoplasma infection has typically been associated with warm and humid environments, contaminated water supplies, poor cooking habits, lack of hygiene, and contact with cats. [17,18] Results of our study did not show any significant difference in seropositivity with eating habits or contact with pets. Systematic screening programs in countries such as France and Austria, where serological surveillance of seronegative pregnant women for seroconversion is compulsory, have indicated that 1 to 1.5 per, 1,000 newborns suffer from congenital toxoplasmosis in France, while in USA, the incidence of acute Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy has been estimated at about 0.2 to 1% and incidence of congenital infection ranging from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 8000 live births.…”

Toxoplasma gondii in animals used for human consumption

“…The public health significance of oocysts in the transmission of T. gondii to humans is highlighted by the high rate of seropositivity (24-47%) in some populations of vegetarians (Hall et al 1999, Roghmann et al 1999. Humans may become infected via contact with contaminated soil, for example through gardening (Cook et al 2000).…”

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water: proposition of a strategy and evaluation in Champagne-Ardenne Region, France

“…A municipal water system that used unfiltered and chloraminated surface water was the likely source of contamination by cougar and/or domestic cat faeces (Aramini et al 1999). In 1999, drinking water was also reported as the vehicle of infection among Jains, a community of strict vegetarians (Hall et al 1999). The largest outbreak, with 290 human cases, was more recently reported in Brazil and involved an unfiltered water reservoir (Keenihan et al 2002).…”