Cat Diseases Dangerous to Pregnant Women

Cats can transmit a rare but serious disease to pregnant women.

Cats can play a role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. While the disease is rare, it can have severely damaging effects to an unborn child if a mother contracts the disease while pregnant.

Transmission

Toxoplasmosis is caused by exposure to the toxoplasma parasite. Cats can contract the parasite from eating rodents or other small animals that are infected. Toxoplasma is then passed in the cat's feces, which is where a pregnant woman would have the most risk of becoming infected by the cat. Transmission from cat feces can occur when changing the litter of an infected cat and accidentally touching your mouth or other parts of the body.

Effects

A mother infected with toxoplasma may not feel any symptoms. The disease is most damaging to the unborn child. Risks to the fetus include severe brain damage, blindness or mental disability that may be present at birth or appear later during child development.

Prevention

You can greatly reduce your risk of infection by following certain safety precautions. If possible, have someone else clean your cat's litter box. If you must clean it, use disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face. Keep cats indoors and feed only commercial canned or dry food. If you come in contact with soil or sand through gardening or other activities, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after contact.

Treatment

A doctor can test to see if you have come in contact with the disease. If you have become infected during or shortly before pregnancy, medication and close monitoring of your pregnancy and unborn child are recommended.

Considerations

Toxoplasmosis is a food-born illness and cats are not the only way the disease is transmitted. Avoid contracting the disease from other sources by cooking food to safe temperatures, thoroughly washing fruits, vegetables, and cooking surfaces and steering clear of untreated drinking water.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention