Hello,
I heard that a certain disease (toxoplasmosys?) is transmitted by cats which
can harm the unborn fetus. Does anybody know about it? Is it a problem to
have a cat in the same apartment?

Thanks

--
Klaus Hofmann
National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research
1-1, Higashi Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan

:Hello,
:I heard that a certain disease (toxoplasmosys?) is transmitted by cats which
:can harm the unborn fetus. Does anybody know about it? Is it a problem to
:have a cat in the same apartment?
:

Having the cat around is not a problem, but the pregnant woman should not
change the litter box.  Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted from the stool of
some cats.

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=  Kenneth Gilbert              __|__        University of Pittsburgh   =
=  General Internal Medicine      |      "...dammit, not a programmer!" =
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The disease you are talking about is toxoplasmosis.  It is a protozoan that
lives and multiplies within cells.  In cats, the protozoan multiplies in the
intestinal cells and eggs are shed in the cat's feces.  The protozoa can
cross the placenta to infect the fetus.  The disease may be asymptomatic
after the baby is born, or it may be very severe.  Toxo may cause blindness
and mental retardation.

Having a cat in the same apartment should not be a problem; however, pregnant
women should not scoop or change the cat's litterbox.  In addition, whoever
does empty the litterbox should thoroughly wash his/her hands before handling
anything else, especially food.

Information came from _The Merck Manual, 15th Ed._

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Elisa

See the rec.pets.cats FAQ or any doctor or vet for more information.

I am not any of the above, but we do have a couple of cats.

It is transmitted through the fecal matter, so a pregnant woman should
avoid cleaning the cat tray and you should both wash hands before
preparing or eating meals.  The latter is sound advice at any time of
course.

Apart from that, its no great problem.  You certainly do not need to
get rid of your cats.

Paul.
--

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