Preventing Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Humans
July 29, 2008
Preventing toxoplasmosis infection involves some simple precautionary steps for both you and your cat. While there’s no guarantee that you or your cat won’t get it, every step you take may help.
A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is responsible for Toxoplasmosis infections. Both humans and cats, as well as other mammals and birds may become infected through contact with this organism. Wild and domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplasma, which means that the feline is the animal the organism uses to reproduce.
According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control, the Toxoplasma parasite is found throughout the world, and as many as 60 million people in the United States may carry it. Estimates are that anywhere between 20 percent and 80 percent of populations worldwide may have it. Toxoplasmosis symptoms, however, are relatively rare, causing few people to seek treatment. Cats that are infected may or may not show signs of the disease as well.
In underdeveloped countries, walking on infected soil with unprotected feet is a factor. For the most part, though, the primary risk factor is from eating undercooked or raw meat.
Below are a few of the things you can do to prevent contracting toxoplasmosis yourself.
Do not eat undercooked or raw meat. If you touch raw meat, do not touch your face until you’ve cleaned your hands thoroughly.
Wash your hands, cutting boards, utensils, and sink with soap and warm water.
Wash all raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
Get someone else to empty the cat litter box. Pregnant women should take special precautions and have someone else on cat box duty.
Ensure that the litter box is cleaned at least once per day or more in order to dispose of cat feces before it becomes infective.
If you handle the cat box duties yourself, wear a mask and disposable rubber gloves and avoid breathing the dust. Wash your hands after cleaning the box.
While outdoors, avoid sandboxes as cats may use them as litter boxes.
Wear gloves when gardening. Keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth, and nose. Wash your hands when finished.
Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk products, especially goat’s milk.
Here are some things you can do to help prevent your cat from contracting the disease.
Do not feed your cat raw or undercooked meat.
Make your cat an indoor cat to prevent her from hunting birds or rodents that might be carrying the disease.
Keep your cat inside to prevent it from coming in contact with contaminated soil, plants, or insects.
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