Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Cat Owners What role do cats play in the spread of toxoplasmosis? Cats get Toxoplasma infection by eating infected rodents, birds or other small animals, or anything contaminated with feces from another cat that is shedding the microscopic parasite in its feces. After a cat has been infected, it can shed the parasite for up to two weeks. The parasite becomes infective one to five days after it is passed in the feces of the cat. The parasite can live in the environment for many months and contaminate soil, water, fruits and vegetables, sandboxes, grass where animals graze for food, litter boxes, or any place where an infected cat may have defecated. What is toxoplasmosis? What are the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused toxoplasmosis? by a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. More than 30 Individuals with healthy million people in the United States immune systems: carry the Toxoplasma parasite. Most people who become infected Toxoplasmosis can cause severe with Toxoplasma do not know it and illness in infants infected before have no symptoms. However, when birth (when their mothers are illness occurs, it is usually mild. Some newly infected just before or during may feel like they have the “flu,” with pregnancy), or in persons with a swollen lymph glands, or muscle weakened immune system. aches and pain that last for several How are people infected with weeks or more. Rarely, eye disease Toxoplasma? occurs. Individuals with weakened People become infected with immune systems: toxoplasmosis several ways: People with weakened immune •• Eating food, drinking water, or systems may experience severe accidentally swallowing soil that symptoms. The most common has been contaminated with symptoms in people with HIV infected cat feces. infection are headache, confusion, •• Eating raw or undercooked meat and fever. Other symptoms include from animals (especially pigs, seizures, poor coordination, and lamb, or wild game) that have nausea or vomiting. been infected with Toxoplasma. Infants infected before birth: •• Directly from a pregnant woman to Most infants infected with her unborn child when the mother Toxoplasma before birth show no becomes infected with Toxoplasma symptoms at birth. However, many just before are likely to develop symptoms later or during in life. These include vision loss, pregnancy. mental disability, and seizures.
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CS275356 How can I protect myself from How can I protect my cat from toxoplasmosis? toxoplasmosis? For more information Several steps can be taken to Protecting your cat from on toxoplasmosis, visit protect yourself and others toxoplasmosis may also www.cdc.gov/parasites/ from toxoplasmosis: help to protect you from toxoplasmosis •• Change cat litter boxes daily. toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma takes more than one •• Feed your cat commercial dry or day to become infectious. If you canned food. are pregnant or have a weakened •• Never feed cats raw meat because immune system, ask someone this can be a source of Toxoplasma else to change the litter box. If this infection. is not possible, wear disposable •• Keep indoor cats indoors so they gloves and wash your hands do not become infected by eating thoroughly with soap and water small animals. afterwards. •• Cover any outdoor sandboxes Do I have to get rid of my cat? when not in use to keep cats from defecating in them. No, you do not have to give up your •• Avoid adopting stray cats, cat. Owning a cat does not mean you especially kittens. Younger cats will be infected with the parasite. are more like to be releasing It is unlikely that you would be Toxoplasma in their feces. exposed to the parasite by touching •• Do not eat undercooked meat. an infected cat because cats usually Cook whole cuts of meat to at least do not carry the parasite on their fur. 145°F (63° C) with a 3 minute rest, In addition, cats kept indoors (that and ground meat and wild game do not hunt prey or are not fed raw to at least 160°F (71º C). meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma. But, if you are •• Wash all kitchen supplies (such as pregnant, planning on becoming knives and cutting boards) that pregnant, or have a weakened have been in contact with raw immune system, it is important to meat. protect yourself from infection. •• If you have a weakened immune system, it is important to talk to Can toxoplasmosis be treated? your health care provider about getting a blood test to determine Yes. There is treatment for if you have been infected with toxoplasmosis. In an otherwise Toxoplasma. healthy person, mild symptoms typically go away within several weeks to months and treatment is not needed. However, treatment may be recommended for an otherwise healthy person with eye disease due to toxoplasmosis. A woman who becomes infected during pregnancy can be treated with medication that may protect her unborn baby from toxoplasmosis. Mother and baby should be monitored closely during the pregnancy and after the baby is born.
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