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Irish Wedding News

22/01/2016

Expectant Mothers Should Avoid Animals Giving Birth – Advice

The government has said that pregnant women should avoid close contact with farm animals that are giving birth.

The advice has been issued by Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), as well as the Health and Safety Executive NI, and the relevant authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.

The guidance is issued annually, and advises mothers-to-be that they should avoid animals that are giving – or have recently given – birth. It has been said that pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing or other farm animals that are giving birth may risk their own health, and that of their unborn child, from infections that such animals can carry.

To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women should not help ewes to lamb, or provide assistance to a cow that is calving or a nanny goat that is kidding.

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They should also avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs, calves or kids or with the afterbirth, birthing fluids or materials (e.g. bedding) contaminated by such birth products.

Expectant mothers should avoid handling (including washing) clothing, boots or any materials that may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth, their young or afterbirths. Potentially contaminated clothing will be safe to handle after being washed on a hot cycle.

In addition, they should ensure contacts or partners who have attended lambing ewes or other animals giving birth take appropriate health and hygiene precautions, including the wearing of personal protective equipment and clothing and adequate washing to remove any potential contamination.

If pregnant women experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment, they are advised to seek medical advice.

Dr Michael McBride, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, explained: "Although reports of these infections are extremely rare, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions.

"It is also important to note that these risks are not only confined to the spring (when the majority of lambs are born), nor are the risks only associated with sheep: cows and goats that have recently given birth can also carry similar infections."

(JP)

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"The government has said that pregnant women should avoid close contact with farm animals that are giving birth."