15/01/2007
Lambing season warning for pregnant women
The government has issued a warning to pregnant women to avoid close contact with sheep during the lambing season.
Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing could risk their own health and that of their unborn child due to infections that can occur in some ewes, including chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes - EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes.
The Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Health and Safety Executive said that the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small. However, they said that it was important that pregnant women were aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing.
Pregnant women are advised that they should not help to lamb or milk ewes; avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs or with the afterbirth; and avoid handling clothing, boots etc, which have come into contact with ewes and lambs.
Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if they are concerned that they have acquired infection from a farm environment.
If a ewe aborts, farmers are advised to consult their veterinary surgeon and arrange for samples to be examined at their local Regional Laboratory of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to determine the cause.
In the interests of hygiene, farmers are advised to dispose of all afterbirths promptly and safely in accordance with relevant legislation.
The EU Animal By-Products Regulations 2002 requires animal by-products, including afterbirth material, to be disposed of via an approved route such as rendering, incineration, knackers yards etc.
(KMcA)
Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing could risk their own health and that of their unborn child due to infections that can occur in some ewes, including chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes - EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes.
The Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Health and Safety Executive said that the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small. However, they said that it was important that pregnant women were aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing.
Pregnant women are advised that they should not help to lamb or milk ewes; avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs or with the afterbirth; and avoid handling clothing, boots etc, which have come into contact with ewes and lambs.
Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if they are concerned that they have acquired infection from a farm environment.
If a ewe aborts, farmers are advised to consult their veterinary surgeon and arrange for samples to be examined at their local Regional Laboratory of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to determine the cause.
In the interests of hygiene, farmers are advised to dispose of all afterbirths promptly and safely in accordance with relevant legislation.
The EU Animal By-Products Regulations 2002 requires animal by-products, including afterbirth material, to be disposed of via an approved route such as rendering, incineration, knackers yards etc.
(KMcA)
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