Answer: Drug treatment is given to cats showing signs of toxoplasmosis with the intention of controlling the parasite until the animal has acquired an adequate immunity to it. Such animals should be strictly isolated from others. Measures to limit the spread of Toxoplasma infection include the following recommendations:
1 All meat for human consumption should be heated to at least 60C (155F) throughout before eating.
2 After handling raw meat the hands should be washed, because the parasite in meat is easily destroyed by contact with water.
3 Only prepared (dry or canned) foods, or home-cooked meat should be fed to cats; never raw meat.
4 Cat motions should be collected and burned each day before only oocysts they may contain become infective. Disposal of the motions by flushing them down the toilet may simply transfer infection elsewhere. Ideally, cats should be kept indoors so that all motions are passed in litter boxes should ideally be sterilized daily by immersing them in boiling water or using a strong (7%) ammonia solution as chemical disinfectant.
5 Gloves should be own when gardening, particularly by pregnant women, to avoid possible contact with Toxoplasma.
6 Children’s sandpits should be covered when not in use to prevent cats from defaecating in them.
7 Pregnant women should avoid handling and caring for cats, particularly if they live on farms where cats have access to many potentially infective natural prey animals.
