Toxoplasmosis

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) found in uncooked meat. It is also found in the feces of cats who have eaten food infested with this parasite.

Most people with the infection have no symptoms. Others, however, may have enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Some people may present with fever, sore throat and rash, similar to infectious mononucleosis.

Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women are most at risk because the infection is more severe for these people.

If a pregnant women is infected early in the pregnancy, it may lead to serious damage or death of the fetus.

The infection is passed on in the following ways:

• from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn child
• ingesting soil/sand contaminated by cat feces
• eating raw/undercooked meat
• drinking unpasteurized milk

Prevention:

1. Cook all meat until well done.
2. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat and vegetables.
3. Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces that come into contact with raw meat.
4. Wash fruits and vegetables well before serving and eating.
5. Do not consume unpasteurized milk.
6. Feed cats dry, canned or boiled food.
7. Sandboxes should be covered when not in use.
8. Dispose of cat feces appropriately. Feces can be flushed down the toilet or buried deeply. Wear gloves when cleaning the litter box and avoid creating dust.
9. Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes.

Sources: Beneson (1990) Control of Communicable Disease in Man;

Canadian Pediatric Society (1992) Well Beings