Show April Can Garden 27 2004 - The Millard County Gazette Soil Organism Hurt Pregnant Women? Answer by Cleli Bagley Utah Extension University Veterinarian State A protozoan organism called toxoplasma can be present in garden soil and can be harmful to the infants of pregnant women and those with a weakened immune sys- tem if proper precautions are not taken Toxoplasmosis causes flulike symptoms such as swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last a month or longer It can also cause mental disabilities andor eye damage to infants who are infected while in the womb More than 60 million people in the United States are likely carriers of the toxoplasma parasite but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the from parasite causing illness Toxoplasma can exist in soil when infected cat feces are present Outdoor cats that eat mice are the most likely carriers A cat can become infected by eating infected prey or being fed raw or undercooked meat infected with the parasite Not all cats shed this organism all the time An infected cat only sheds the organism for a few weeks However once it is in the soil it can 'survive several months to a year or more in spite of warm or cold weather E)og feces do not Cause toxoplasmosis but can cause other problems Toxoplasmosis is caused by hand to mouth contamination and can come from sources other than infected garden soil Some include eating meat that is not thoroughly cooked contamination of knives utensils cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat and through contaminated water drinking Though it is a serious threat toxoplasmosis can easily be prevented by taking the appropriate precautions To be properly protected if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system consider these tips Always wear plastic or rubber gloves when gardening and wash hands thoroughly when finished Have someone else empty the cat litter if you have a house cat Always wash your hands after petting or handling a cat When preparing raw meat wash cutting boards sinks knives and other utensils thoroughly with soap and hot water to avoid bther foods Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling raw meat Cook meat thoroughly and no longer pink in the center or until the juices become colorless Do not taste meat before it is fully cooked until it is all Spring Loan Sale pw Mcfitn grow add a backyard gazobo or put a boat In your driveway with our incredibb For a Umbtd time ( spring to ba oxact) threo of our moat popular loans coma with a rato of Just 0 You can gat a Homo Equity Loan Homo Equity Credit Lino or o Hanto Refinance Loan thatTl give you some serious summer fun money You simply can't find a rata lower than OIL so coll 1 today or visit wwwjiofisbaniccom to bw kareductory Sal Sprhj ZIONS BANK f0C ' V U mmrMwm rwX Tton trj V Page 5 |