Every year cat’s protection receives hundreds of calls from concerned pregnant women who fear they will contract toxoplasmosis from their cat. Though cats do play a part in the life cycle of the parasite, human contact with the cat alone does not increase the risk of infection. Statistically non- cat owners are just as likely to contract the disease and even vets are no more likely to be infected with the parasite than non-vets.
Research has shown that the biggest risk of contracting the infection is through eating undercooked meat or consuming contaminated soil via unwashed vegetables. Contracting the infection will not make you seriously ill however; it could affect unborn babies if it is picked up for the first time during early pregnancy.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the microscopic parasite T.gondii (Toxoplasma
gondii)
Cats become infected with this parasite when they consume uncooked meat that
contain the T gondii cysts, this includes infected rodents. Cats will begin to
shed the oocysts in their faeces for 10-14 days but do not usually shed again
unless the cat contracts a serious illness such as FeLV or FIV meaning a
healthy adult cat should not pose a risk to their owner or an unborn child.
Good hygiene considerably reduces the risk of infection as oocysts only become
infectious between one and five days after being passed in the faeces.
How to reduce the risk of infection via cats
·
Get somebody
else to change your cat’s litter tray possible and if you cannot, wear gloves
and wash your hands thoroughly after.
·
Change cat
litter daily as T.gondii is infectious between one and five days after the cat defecates.
·
Do not
feed your cat raw meat.
·
Keep
outdoor play sand boxes covered.
·
Wear
gloves when gardening in case a cat has defecated in the area.
For more
information please visit: http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/VG20_Cats_and_pregnant_women_-_Toxoplasmosis.pdf
