With the May bank holiday and half term approaching, families planning farm visits are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly after contact with animals to avoid becoming ill.
Public health experts at the UK Health Security Agency North West are reminding visitors of the importance of hand hygiene during and after farm visits.
Every year, members of the public can enjoy viewing or touching animals, whether at farm attractions, agricultural shows or organised visits. But animals can carry bugs without appearing ill themselves and you can catch them by direct contact with an animal or with surfaces they have touched.
To make sure such days out stay happy memories, UKHSA is urging families to remember the importance of thoroughly washing hands after touching animals, pens, fencing, and other surfaces where animals may have touched and before eating food to avoid getting bugs which can make you seriously ill.
Washing hands with soap and water is also important as hand gels and wipes do not remove all gastrointestinal bugs.
Dr Merav Kliner, Regional Deputy Director of UKHSA North West, said: “Visiting a farm is an enjoyable and educational experience for many people, particularly children. However, it carries a small risk of catching infections from animals or the environment.
“Farm animals can be the source of several bugs that can be passed from animals to humans and cause illness. Some can be particularly serious for children or pregnant women. Sadly, this year we have already seen a significant number of cases linked to farm visits right across the country, including in some instances, children being hospitalised.
“Infections can be picked up from the animal’s body, its poo or from areas where animals have recently been. If the germs are on your hands, you could accidentally pass them to your mouth. Muck on boots, clothing and pushchairs can easily be transferred to hands and other surfaces too. You can’t see the germs, so your hands may appear clean.
“Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after you have had contact with animals and before eating food will reduce the risk of infection. Do not use gels or wipes instead of soap and water – they do not remove bugs in dirt.”
What to do when visiting a farm
You can get cryptosporidiosis from contact with an infected animal or their environment, which is why thorough hand washing during and after a farm visit is essential. Other routes of infection include directly from another person, by swimming in or drinking contaminated water, as well as eating contaminated food.
Following the simple rules listed below will help to keep you and your children safe from infections that may be found on open farms. Pregnant women need to take particular care as infections acquired from animals can be harmful to them and their unborn baby.
- Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas. All open farms should provide handwashing facilities for visitors.
- Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking.
- Do remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled and clean pushchair wheels. Then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Do supervise children closely to ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly.
- Washing your hands should take about 20 seconds – the same time that it takes to recite a single verse of “Old Macdonald Had a Farm”.
- Do eat and drink in picnic areas or cafes only.
- Do not put hands on faces or fingers in mouths while petting animals or walking round the farm.
- Do not allow children to put their faces close to animals.
- Do not eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm.
- Do not eat anything that has fallen on the floor.
- Do not use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water. Gels and wipes do not remove bugs in dirt.
What to do if you feel unwell after a farm visit
If you or anyone in your group feels unwell or has any symptoms, for example is sick or has diarrhoea within two weeks of visiting a farm, contact your GP or call NHS 111 as soon as possible. If you or anyone in your group, particularly a young child, has bloody diarrhoea, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
You should not attend school/childcare/work until you have been free of sickness or diarrhoea for two days. If you are diagnosed with Cryptosporidium you must not go swimming until two weeks after you are free of sickness or diarrhoea as the bugs are resistant to chlorine. Tests may be required to confirm that a child is free from some infections.