Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a bug called Toxoplasma Gondi. Anyone drinking or eating contaminated food can get the infection (see below). In most cases with the exception of those with poor immunity the infection itself is symptomatic and goes unnoticed. Sometime it is felt as a mild "cold". The main problem for adults is that active infection can cause deterioration of vision in affected eye. The other issue is when the infection occurs in a pregnant woman.

Toxoplasma gondi infection during pregnancy is not uncommon in the Maldives. This infection is one of the TORCH infections, which when occurs during pregnancy could potentially cause infection and major congenital malformations in the unborn child.

The good news is that there is a treatment available for this infection which is thought to reduce the incidence of transmission of the disease causing organism to the unborn child. A much better news, I believe, is the relative ease with which we in the Maldives could prevent this infection.

The disease causing organism is transmitted to humans via ingestions of contaminated food:

• contaminated and uncooked (or improperly cooked)

• meat non-pasteurized or unboiled milk

• unwashed fruits and vegetables contaminated with cat feces

• water contaminated with cat feces

Of these mechanisms the most important for our community is the drinking of contaminated water. Rain has been accepted as one of the main source of drinking water in the Maldives. Rain water itself is clean, however, the way we collect rain water is far from clean.

The collection surface for rain water are the house-hold roof tops which are frequented by cats. While many never care to bother, others do attempt to clean the roof before collecting rain water. The concern however is that none of the cleaning mechanisms involved is even near effective enough to effectively remove the Toxoplasma gondi (the bug causing this infection).

The solution is not complicated. Do clean the roof as much as possible before collecting water from its surface. And most importantly BOIL all water before consumption. Boiling kills these bugs. I would boil rain water, water supply water and any water for that matter.

With respect to transmission of this infection to the unborn child: If it wasn't so expensive, and time consuming, testing for Toxoplasma infection before conception could be one other strategy to help minimize the effect of this infection on our community.

ASK your DOCTOR for more information.

A reasonable array of blood tests to detect Toxoplasmosis is available at most Labs in Male'. Discuss with your doctor weather you need to have the tests done.