information about toxoplasmosis +pregnancy everyone should know
first you can get toxoplasmosis from
- Eating undercooked, contaminated meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison)
-not washing hands after dealing with raw meat, or eating food that was contaminated by knives, utensils, cutting boards or other foods that had contact with raw contaminated meat.
-Accidental ingestion of oocysts in contaminated soil (e.g., not washing hands after gardening or eating unwashed fruits or vegetables from a garden)
and of course from cat POOP. first, cats who eat raw meat usually get toxo especially outdoor cats who hunt. and SECOND, the poop has to be old. if you clean your litter box daily very little chance your cat will give you toxo. especially if they aren't on raw meat diet and INDOOR CAT.
Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat's feces.
You should always wash hands after cleaning box even when not pregnant.
I always cleaned litter box when i was pregnant, because my husband would not clean it and cats will be pooping everywhere in the house
I always wore GLOVES and wore a MEDICAL SURGICAL FACE MASK , which i bought from walmart. it is very cheap. i wear a face mask so the dust doesn't go in my mouth or nose. and of course i cleaned litter EVERYDAY. Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat's feces. so the poop doesn't get OLD. and i washed my hands for 20 seconds with good soap after .
-and its mostly dangerous for pregnant women who are NEWLY infected while pregnant.
Generally if you have been infected with Toxoplasma before becoming pregnant your unborn child is protected by your immunity. but wait 6 months to get pregnant.
so my point is. follow the safety steps and any pregnant woman can clean the litter box. unless you just want a break and want your husband to clean it. GO FOR IT. but you dont have to take your cat to a shelter because you are pregnant. which i saw so many in the shelter while volunteered.
sources : http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/pregnant.html