(HealthDay News) -- Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that, if acquired by a pregnant woman, can threaten the fetus.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests how to reduce a woman's risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis during pregnancy:

• Ask someone else to clean the cat's litter box each day.
• If you must clean the litter box yourself, wear gloves and carefully wash your hands when you're finished.
• Always wash hands with soap and water after exposure to unwashed vegetables, raw meat, soil or sand.
• Don't eat undercooked meat.
• Freeze meat for a few days before you cook it. This will greatly reduce the chances of infection.
• Carefully clean with hot water and soap all knives and cutting boards after using them.
• Wash or peel vegetables and fruits before eating them.
• Don't drink untreated water, particularly when visiting another country.