Women warned to avoid sheep contact during pregnancy

Pregnant women should avoid close contact with sheep during lambing periods, the government warned today.

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) said 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 occur in some ewes. These include chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes - EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, Senior Medical Officer at DHSSPS, said: “Although the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep are extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks.

“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, boots etc which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.

“Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment.”

Farmers have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms, Dr Doherty added.

(MB)