Pregnant women warned to avoid sheep at lambing time

Pregnant women have today been warned that they should avoid close contact with sheep during lambing.



The advice has been issued by 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).



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.



Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride 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 associated with close contact with sheep during lambing.



“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. Any action should be determined by their risk assessment required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (NI) 2003 and also the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000.



If a ewe aborts, farmers are advised to ask their veterinary surgeon to submit a sample to their local Veterinary Sciences Division at either Omagh or Belfast to determine the cause. In the interests of hygiene, farmers should dispose of all afterbirths promptly, safely and hygienically in compliance with the relevant regulations.



(EF/SP)