How is toxoplasmosis spread?
Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. They become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The parasite is then passed in the cat's feces. Kittens and cats can shed millions of parasites in their feces for as long as 3 weeks after infection. Mature cats are less likely to shed Toxoplasma. Cats and kittens prefer litter boxes, garden soils, and sandboxes for elimination, and you may be exposed unintentionally by touching your mouth after changing a litter box, or while gardening without gloves. Fruits and vegetables may have contact with contaminated soil or water also, and you can be infected by eating fruits and vegetables if they are not cooked, washed, or peeled.
How can Toxoplasma affect my unborn child?
If you are newly infected with Toxoplasma while you are pregnant, or just before pregnancy, then you can pass the infection on to your baby. You may not have any symptoms from the infection. Most infected infants do not have symptoms at birth but can develop serious symptoms later in life, such as blindness or mental disability. Occasionally infected newborns have serious eye or brain damage at birth.
How can I reduce my chances of exposure to toxoplasmosis?
If you are pregnant, the CDC recommends these steps to reduce your chance of exposure:
-
Have someone else clean the litter box, or wear rubber gloves when you change it
-
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after tending litter boxes
-
Scoop daily
-
Keep your cat inside the house and away from prey that could be infected with T.Gondii
-
Don’t dig in dirt without garden gloves
-
Wash your hands after gardening.
-
Keep any outdoor sandboxes covered
-