This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council on behalf UKHSA for the attention of all schools.
Keep your family safe on the farm this spring
Planning a farm visit this spring? A few simple steps can help ensure your day out stays fun – and bug-free.
While farm visits are brilliant family fun, animals can carry germs that cause illness in people. Sometimes these are serious, especially for young children and pregnant women. Even healthy animals can carry these germs without showing symptoms.
Charlotte Flynn, health protection consultant with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:
“Infections can be picked up from the animals, so it’s important to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after you have had contact with animals and before eating food to reduce the risk of infection. Hand gels and wipes unfortunately do not remove germs in dirt.
“Every year we see people falling ill from some very unpleasant illnesses caused by E.coli and cryptosporidium - sadly these infections can sometimes be life changing.”
Simple steps for a safe visit
Do:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals, fences or surfaces in animal areas.
- Wash hands before eating or drinking anything.
- Clean any soiled shoes or pushchair wheels, then wash your hands again
- Supervise children closely during handwashing.
- Spend about 20 seconds washing – roughly the time it takes to sing one verse of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm".
- Only eat in designated picnic areas or cafes.
- Remember that if you handle lambs or other animals, germs may transfer to your clothes.
Don't:
- Touch your face or put fingers in your mouth while around animals.
- Let children put their faces close to animals.
- Eat or drink while walking around the farm.
- Eat anything that's fallen on the ground.
- Rely on hand gels or wipes – they don't remove bugs from dirt.
Feeling unwell afterwards?
If you or your children develop sickness or diarrhoea within two weeks of a farm visit, contact your GP or call NHS 111. If anyone has bloody diarrhoea, seek immediate medical attention.
Pregnant women should take extra care, as some animal-borne infections can harm both mother and baby.
With these precautions, your family can enjoy everything farms have to offer this spring – safely.
More information is available on our blog: How to have a fun and healthy farm visit with the family – UK Health Security Agency
