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Brochure on cat health, toxoplasmosis: Cornell Feline Health Center Yage 4 of and become infective. • Disinfect potentially contaminated litter boxes with scalding water or with dry -heat sterilization (55° C, 131°F). • Chemical disinfection does not reliably destroy oocysts. Return to Top Specific Recommendations for Pregnant Women A pregnant woman (or one who contemplates pregnancy) can minimize exposure to Toxoplasma by taking the following measures: • Exclude rare or undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products from the diet. Test household cats for antibodies to Toxoplasma. Assuming that a cat is healthy, a positive antibody test indicates that the animal is most probably immune and not excreting oocysts and thus would be an unlikely source of infection. A healthy antibody -negative cat is most probably susceptible to infection and would shed oocysts for one to two weeks after exposure to Toxoplasma. If possible, the cat should be tested before the woman becomes pregnant. • Have herself tested for antibodies, preferably before becoming pregnant. A positive test would indicate past infection that will not be transmitted to the fetus. The presence of antibodies also lessens the likelihood that congenital transmission would occur should she be exposed again to the parasite during pregnancy. An antibody -negative woman would thus be at greater risk of transmitting Toxoplasma to the fetus should she become infected during pregnancy. • Protect cats from infection (or reinfection) by preventing access to birds, rodents, uncooked meat, and unpasteurized dairy products. • Avoid handling litter boxes. Even if a cat is antibody-positive and hence most likely immune, there exists a potential for reshedding of oocysts (although in much smaller numbers than during the initial infection). For safety, litter boxes should be changed daily or every other day by another person to eliminate any potential for accidental infection. • Avoid handling free -roaming cats, because the fur or paws could be contaminated with oocysts, which might be transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact. Any cat allowed indoors should be kept off the bed, pillows, blankets, or other furnishings the woman uses. • Avoid handling any cat showing signs of illness. • Wear rubber gloves if working with garden soil. Uncooked vegetables, whether grown in a home garden or supplied commercially, should be washed thoroughly before ingestion, in case they have been contaminated by cat feces. • Make a habit of vigorously and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after contact with soil, cats, unpasteurized dairy products, or uncooked meat or vegetables. Return to Top http://www.vet.comell.edu/thc/brochures/toxo.btmi 10/21/2006