Toxoplasmosis is often misunderstood, especially by expectant families. While cats can play a role in spreading the parasite, the actual risk of transmission from your feline companion is lower than many people think.
What Is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that infects mammals, including humans. It is caused by an organism called Toxoplasma gondii.
A human can become infected with the organism through one of three ways:
- Eating undercooked meat that contains Toxoplasma cysts
- Accidentally eating infective toxoplasma “oocysts” or eggs
- Transmission across the uterus from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby
In a healthy adult, infection poses very little risk. Infection during pregnancy may result in miscarriage or congenital birth defects. In an attempt to lower the risk, a pregnant woman may decide to give her cat away, which may not be necessary or appropriate.
How Do Cats Become Infected?
Susceptible cats become infected with Toxoplasma organisms by eating contaminated raw meat, including mice, or by eating contaminated soil.
After an incubation period of up to 5 days, the cat will excrete infectious oocysts in the feces for a period of up to two weeks. Once exposed, the cat will usually become immune to re-infection.
How Can Humans Get Toxoplasmosis From Cats?
For a human to get toxoplasmosis from their cat, several things must happen:
1. The cat must consume contaminated raw meat, either by hunting prey or through a raw meat diet that is contaminated with Toxoplasma cysts.
2. The cat must have been exposed to the infected source within the previous few weeks and not been exposed in the past.
3. The infected oocysts in the feces must have had a chance to incubate to the infectious stage.
4. The human must ingest the infected oocysts, usually by touching the feces and then touching the mouth.
How To Reduce Risk At Home
To avoid getting an infection from your cat:
- Do not permit it to eat raw meat.
- Clean out the litter box daily.
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling litter.
- If pregnant, delegate litter box duties to another family member.
Testing And Immunity
If you are concerned, there is a specific blood test that can check for Toxoplasma blood titers, which will indicate whether or not you have been exposed to the organism in the past.
Once exposed, people usually are immune to re-infection. Thus, a woman who has a Toxoplasma titer will not pose any risk to her future offspring. To pass the infection to a fetus in utero, the pregnant woman must be exposed to Toxoplasma for the first time during pregnancy.
Other Ways Toxoplasmosis Is Transmitted
In actual fact, toxoplasmosis is more likely to be acquired from eating infected undercooked meat or other contaminated food products.
To minimize these risks, pregnant women should:
- Use good hygiene when handling raw meats or other food products, including disinfecting all cutting boards and utensils
- Wear gloves when working in the garden
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box.
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after handling food or garden soil
Should You Give Up Your Cat?
Getting rid of your feline companion is not a necessary precaution. While it is possible for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis, the risk of your feline friend passing the disease to you is low, and your cat can continue to be a beloved part of your growing family.