Toxoplasmosis

For Your Baby's Sake, Eat Safe! Preventing Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant Women
Food Safety Guidelines

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) organism. It can pose serious health risks for expectant mothers and their developing babies. While the overall incidence of Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is relatively rare, it's important to understand the potential risks. Studies indicate that the likelihood of transmitting the infection to the fetus increases with the progression of pregnancy—about 10% in the first trimester and more than 70% in the third trimester. Even though the chances of maternal infection are relatively low, the potential impacts on the fetus can be significant. Therefore, staying informed and taking preventive measures is essential for pregnant women. The following food safety guidelines are designed to help protect you and your baby.

Clean

Wash your hands with soap and warm water after touching soil, sand, raw meat, cat litter, or unwashed vegetables.
Wash all cutting boards and knives thoroughly with soap and hot water after each use.
Thoroughly wash and/or peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them.

Separate

Separate raw meat from other foods in your grocery shopping cart, refrigerator, and while preparing and handling foods at home.

Cook

Cook meat thoroughly. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 160° F (71° C). Use a food thermometer to check.
Don't sample meat until it's cooked.

Don't Drink the Water!

Avoid drinking untreated water, particularly when traveling in other countries. When in doubt, drink bottled water.

Have a Cat or Kitten?

During pregnancy, also be aware that T. gondii can infect almost all cats that spend time outdoors. Cats typically contract this parasite by eating small animals or raw meat that carry the infection. The parasite is then passed through the cat's feces. Since T. gondii usually doesn't make cats sick, you may not know if your cat is infected. To help minimize your risk, follow these tips:

Ask for Help
Whenever possible, have someone else (spouse, neighbor, friend, etc.) handle the litter box. If you must clean it yourself, make sure to wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterward.

Daily Cleaning
Change the litter box every day, as the parasite can only become infectious one to five days after being shed in the feces.

Safety while Gardening
Use gloves while gardening or handling sand from a sandbox, as cats may have left feces in those areas. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

Cover Sandboxes
Keep outdoor sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.

Proper Cat Diet
Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food, and avoid giving raw meat, which can be a source of T. gondii.

Keep Cats Indoors
Limit your cat's outdoor access, and exercise caution if you're bringing an outdoor cat inside.

Avoid Stray and Other Cats
Stay away from stray cats, especially kittens.

Hold Off on Adopting
Try to avoid adopting a new cat while you're pregnant.

If you have a cat and are concerned about exposure to Toxoplasma, please talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for guidance and reassurance.

This information is intended to provide you with evidence-based food safety recommendations. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding Toxoplasmosis and your pregnancy. Also, visit another For Your Baby's Sake program, Preventing Listeriosis among Pregnant Women that includes simple safety guidelines.

References

Deganich, M., Boudreaux, C., & Benmerzouga, I. (2022). Toxoplasmosis Infection during Pregnancy. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010003

For Your Baby's Sake, Eat Safe! Preventing Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant WomenFood Safety Guidelines