Pregnant women warned about risks of contact with sheep

Pregnant women have been warned to avoid close contact with sheep during lambing time.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), advise that pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health and that of their unborn child, from infections that can cause abortion to occur in some ewes.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, Senior Medical Officer at DHSSPS, said that although the risk of human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep was extremely small, it was important that pregnant women were aware of the potential risk: "To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women are advised that they should not help to lamb or milk ewes; they should avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs or with the afterbirth; and they should avoid handling clothing or boots which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.”

Dr Doherty said pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experienced fever or influenza-like symptoms and were concerned that they could have acquired an infection from a farm environment.

Farmers have a responsibility under Health and Safety at Work legislation to minimise the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms.

The booklet called "While You are Pregnant" published by DHSSPS gives advice to pregnant women on how to reduce the risks of infection. Copies are available from the central Health Promotion Resource Departments of the four Health and Social Services Boards.

Further information for farmers is also available in the HSE publication "Infection Risks to New and Expectant Mothers in the Workplace - A Guide for Employers". (SP)