This disease is caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Cats can carry this parasite without clinical signs but can shed the organism, spreading it to others.

The threat to humans lies primarily in the risk to pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems can also be at risk.

** Please Note – even though this disease is uncommon, you are much more likely to contract this disease from handling raw or undercooked meat than from your cat **

Having said that, there are some sensible precautions that should be taken:

• Avoid feeding poorly cooked or raw meat.
• Try to avoid letting your cat hunt.
• Avoid introducing new (especially young) cats to the household of a pregnant woman.
• Keep litter trays cleaned daily and avoid gardening without gloves.
• Sandboxes can also be a source of infection as cats may soil these.
• Young cats are a more likely source of infection than adult cats.

This disease is caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Cats can carry this parasite without clinical signs but can shed the organism, spreading it to others.

The threat to humans lies primarily in the risk to pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems can also be at risk.

** Please Note – even though this disease is uncommon, you are much more likely to contract this disease from handling raw or undercooked meat than from your cat **

Having said that, there are some sensible precautions that should be taken:

• Avoid feeding poorly cooked or raw meat.
• Try to avoid letting your cat hunt.
• Avoid introducing new (especially young) cats to the household of a pregnant woman.
• Keep litter trays cleaned daily and avoid gardening without gloves.
• Sandboxes can also be a source of infection as cats may soil these.
• Young cats are a more likely source of infection than adult cats.