Cat Toxoplasmosis: Prevention for Cats and Humans
July 30, 2008 – 4:20 amPreventing 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.
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) - a parasitic protozoan (single-celled organism). Both humans and cats may be infected by coming in contact with it. Wild and domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplasma, which means that the cat is the only animal in which T. gondii reaches sexual maturity.
Statistics show that Toxoplasma may be carried by up to 80 percent of the population in some parts of the world. As many as 60 million Americans may be infected. Patients who display Toxoplasmosis symptoms, however, are relatively rare and may be mild. Few people in otherwise good health seek treatment. Infected cats may not show any signs of the disease.
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 consume raw or undercooked meat. If you touch raw meat, do not touch your face until you’ve cleaned your hands thoroughly.
Make sure that you wash your cutting boards, utensils, hands, and sink with soap and warm water after food preparation.
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.
Have the litter box cleaned every day or more than once per day and get rid 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.
Avoid sandboxes as cats may use them as litter boxes.
While gardening, wear gloves and keep your hands away from your face until you wash them.
Do not drink unpasteurized dairy products, especially goat’s milk.
Here are some things you can do to help keep your cat from being exposed to the disease.
Avoid feeding your cat undercooked or raw meat.
Keep your cat indoors to prevent her from picking up the disease from rodents or birds that may be infected.
Keep your cat indoors in order to keep her away from contaminated soil, plants, or insects.
Tags: Health and Fitness
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