PREGNANT women in the Larne area have been warned that they should avoid close contact with sheep during lambing periods.
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 co
me 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, and Q fever, which may occasionally cause ewes to abort but which can also be spread via the birth fluids of animals (not just sheep) that have no clinical signs of disease.
Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland said: “Although the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing.”
infection
To avoid the possible risk of infection, 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 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 consult their veterinary surgeon and 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 and safely in accordance with relevant legislation.
