Pregnancy and prevention of toxoplasmosis

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Toxoplasma infection and pregnancy

Be careful when preparing food and when dealing with cats

What is toxoplasmosis?​​​​​​​

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by infection with the parasite Toxoplasma sp. Usually, the disease is minor and goes unnoticed. Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting the parasites contained in cat excrement, or by eating raw vegetables contaminated with soil containing cat excrement. It is also possible to get infected by eating raw or undercooked contaminated meat. The symptoms, when they occur, are swollen glands in the neck, a fever, and fatigue, which can last for several months.

Am I at risk?​​​​​​​

Pregnant women who are seronegative, in other words who do not have toxoplasmosis antibodies, are at risk of infection during pregnancy. 

What are the risks to my foetus?

If the disease is contracted during pregnancy, there is a risk that the foetus will develop neurological and eyesight problems. The impact on the foetus will depend on the gestational age when infection occurs. Have a discussion with your health professional (doctor, obstetrician, midwife, etc.).

How can I protect myself from infection?

You can protect yourself from infection by taking the following simple hygiene measures:

1. Food:

• Use gloves when handling raw meat or foods which could be contaminated, or wash your hands immediately after handling. 
• Clean kitchen utensils, chopping boards and worktops with boiling water. 
• Carefully wash raw vegetables and herbs with plenty of water. 
• Avoid consuming raw, unwashed, and unpeeled vegetables, even organic ones. Prefer well-cooked vegetables.
• Do not eat undercooked meat (such as tartare, carpaccio, or rare steaks) or processed food products containing raw or undercooked meat (salami, raw sausages, raw ham and uncooked charcuterie). Meat must be sufficiently cooked (reacing an internal temperature of at least 67°C).
• Do not consume products containing unpasteurized milk.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish (such as oysters, mussels, clams, etc.).
• Freeze meat at -12°C for at least 3 days. 

2.  Gardening:

•  Wear gloves when gardening and carefully wash your hands afterwards.

3. Cats:

• If you have a cat at home, don't change the cat litter yourself. If you must do so, wear gloves and immediately wash your hands afterwards. Wash your hands after handling the cat or cat litter tray. Clean the cat litter tray daily (or get someone else to clean it!) with boiling water. 

These measures are not necessary for adult cats who live strictly indoors (without ever going outside) and are fed commercial cat food that has been heat-treated (wet or dry cat food that is parasite-free) as they will not have been exposed to the parasite.