Protecting Against Toxoplasmosis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect your unborn child is by protecting yourself against toxoplasmosis.

• Have someone who is healthy and not pregnant change your cat’s litter box daily. If this is not possible, wear gloves and clean the litter box every day. Wash your hands well with soap and water afterward. 
• Also, wash your hands with soap and water after any exposure to soil, sand, raw meat, or unwashed vegetables. Wear gloves when gardening or handling sand from a sandbox.
• Cook all meat thoroughly. Do not taste meat before it is fully cooked.
• Freeze meat for several days before cooking to greatly reduce the chance of infection. 
• Wash all cutting boards and knives thoroughly with hot, soapy water after each use. 
• Wash and/or peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them. 
• Avoid drinking untreated water, particularly when traveling in less developed countries.