Pregnant and pet: our advice to avoid zoonoses

When you're pregnant, you're more vulnerable to diseases transmitted by animals called zoonoses. While these infections are often benign, it's best to avoid them! Magicmaman gives you some daily hygiene rules for a good cohabitation with your pet for 9 months.

Zoonoses are diseases or infections that are transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals, due to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. These include toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, salmonellosis. These diseases are transmitted either directly, during contact between animals and humans, or indirectly through food or via a vector (insect, arachnids, etc.). According to the World Organization for Animal Health, 60% of human infectious diseases are zoonotic. Some zoonoses are preventable through vaccination (such as rabies) or other methods.

The most common zoonoses are divided into four main categories: bacterial (listeriosis, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, tetanus, cat scratch disease, tuberculosis, etc.), viral (hepatitis A, herpes virus B, Ebola virus disease, chikungunya, dengue fever, rabies, etc.), parasitic (malaria, toxoplasmosis, trichuriasis, etc.) and fungal (candidiasis, coccidioidosis, aspergillosis, etc.). 

If you have a cat: watch out for toxoplasmosis!

Cats carry the toxoplasmosis parasite through their feces. Pregnant cats can also catch toxoplasmosis by eating raw meat, poorly washed fruits and vegetables, and from soil that may be contaminated by feces carrying the parasite. Most people who own a cat are immune by having caught this disease without even realizing it.

Generally benign, toxoplasmosis is much less so for pregnant women because the parasite can cross the placenta . When you declare your pregnancy, among your many tests, you must have a serology test to find out whether you are immune or not. If you are immune to toxoplasmosis during your first pregnancy, this serology will not necessarily be required for a second.

If you have never caught toxoplasmosis, be particularly vigilant throughout your pregnancy, because it can have serious consequences for the fetus: premature birth, abnormalities of the nervous system, etc. You will also need to have a monthly toxoplasmosis serology check to verify that everything is going well. 

Since toxoplasmosis is transmitted through cat feces, stay well away from the litter box and forget about cleaning it for 9 months. If you don't have anyone to look after it, wear gloves and clean your hands thoroughly afterwards. The cells are not infectious for the first 24 hours, so it is best to clean the litter box every day. If your cat is used to going to the bathroom outside, also be sure to wear gloves when gardening! For 9 months, avoid prolonged contact with your pet and wash your hands thoroughly after each petting!

Before consumption, fruits and vegetables that come from the earth must be washed carefully and, for safety reasons, peeled afterwards. It is preferable to consume them cooked in order to further limit the risks.

While ringworm is also a mild condition for most of us, it can be long and difficult to treat in pregnant women.

Transmitted by a fungus called Microsporum canis , ringworm can hide in your pets' fur and feathers and can cause red patches on contact, as well as itching.

It is therefore imperative to wash your hands after touching your animal and above all to avoid any contact with your mouth because the fungus is transmitted in this way.

If despite all these precautions, you have symptoms, be aware that the usual treatment for ringworm is contraindicated during pregnancy. Your gynecologist or obstetrician will then prescribe a local treatment with a cream. You will also need to disinfect your home because the ringworm fungus can be embedded in floors, carpets, clothes, etc. for a very long time.

Don't forget to consult your gynecologist if you have any doubts! Also, don't hesitate to get all the necessary information from your veterinarian.

In recent years, we have seen new pets appear in our homes, and among them, some are animals likely to transmit salmonellosis to you,  such  as reptiles. Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease that you can also catch by eating undercooked poultry or eggs, but in reptiles, these bacteria are part of their digestive flora.

In pregnant women, the salmonellosis bacteria can cause spontaneous abortion. A few steps are necessary to avoid contamination.  

Leave your pet in its cage as it can spread bacteria as it roams the house. If you empty its aquarium/terrarium, do not do it in the kitchen sink and do not clean anything on a surface that could come into contact with food.