Pregnant Women Should be Careful with Cats Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that normally is not harmful to people. However, the disease can harm a person with a weakened immune system or a fetus in the womb.
Cats are the only carriers of the toxoplasmosis organism, which is passed through their feces.
According to LaRue, toxoplasmosis eggs need one to five days to become infectious, so gardens also are a possible source of infection. Washing your hands and cleaning the litter box daily are good ways to prevent infection. However, LaRue suggests that it is a good idea to be tested for exposure to toxoplasmosis before you are pregnant.