Scientists from the University of British Columbia has discovered that Toxoplasma gondii, a cat parasite, is now affecting Beluga whales living in the Arctic region.

The parasite may cause blindness on human beings and health advisories have been released to warn the Inuit people who consume the meat of the Beluga whale.

Researchers stated that the detection of the cat parasite in the region is an example of how climate change speeds up the transport of pathogens from one place to another. Arctic's icy conditions have served as a protective barrier which hindered the contamination of pathogens coming from other areas.

 "Ice is a significant ecological barrier and it influences the way in which pathogens can be transmitted in nature and your risk of exposure," said molecular parasitologist Michael Grigg to BBC News.

The cat parasite is inadmissible in warmer climates and in fact, there are some people who carry the parasite without suffering from any health problems. The highest risk for the parasite is identified among pregnant women and those with very weak immune system.

Now, the Inuit people are in danger of being affected by the parasite, although scientists have not yet identified how exactly the parasite reached the Arctic and affected the Beluga whales. One theory is that it could be from the cats brought to the Arctic to be sold as pets. The feces of the cat may have gotten into the ocean through watercourses and the whales may have been exposed to contaminated water.

According to Dr. Sue Moore, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's oceanographer, keeping close tabs on how sea mammals react to climate change is important in tracking the ill effects brought about by warmer temperatures. Moore calls the sea mammals as "sentinels of change".

"They reflect the changes that are occurring below them. They may not be able to tell you every linkage, but if a sea mammal stops eating one thing and starts eating another, that tells me there has been a big shift.", Moore said to BBC News.

The study was presented during at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held in Chicago.