Tapeworms of the Taenia and Echinococcus species can also be contracted by humans via accidental ingestion of cat feces containing infectious tapeworm eggs. The only form of Echinococcus transmissable by cats is that causing alveolar echinococcus.
Anyone can contract HIV, and while IDUs are at great risk because of practices related to their drug use, anyone who engages in unsafe sex (e.g., unprotected sex with an infected partner) could be exposed to HIV infection.frican-Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections than any other population at all stages of the disease from initial infection to death (see text box). Moreover, specific minority subgroups are at particular risk.
Globally, around 13 million people inject drugs and 1.7 million of them are living with HIV. Injecting drug use accounts for approximately 10% of HIV infections globally and 30% of those outside of Africa. Regional HIV prevalence rates are high in people who inject drugs in all parts of the world (up to 15.5% in East and Southern Africa). People who use drugs are also disproportionately affected by hepatitis C. The estimated global prevalence of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs is 67%.