Advice for families planning farm visits

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Parents planning to take their children on visits to petting farms and other visitor attractions with animals during the summer holidays are being urged to take particular care with hand-washing.

The advice is issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West who warn that animals can carry infections including cryptosporidiosis, an infection caused by the parasite cryptosporidium, Ecoli O157 that can be particularly serious for young children and on rare occasions can be fatal, salmonella, campylobacter and giardia.

Dr. Lorraine Lighton, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the HPA’s Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, said: “We wouldn’t wish to discourage farm visits, but people need to remember that a range of infections can be passed on through contact with animals unless care is taken.

“Although the risk of infection cannot be completely eliminated, good hygiene will significantly reduce the risk of infection occurring. It is therefore very important for parents and children to make full use of the washing facilities that are provided at open farms.

“They should wash their hands thoroughly after contact with the animals, before eating and before putting fingers near their mouths.”

The HPA North West advice is: 

• Check the hygiene facilities at the farm – there should be good hand-washing facilities with hot water, soap and paper towels.
• Always wash hands carefully after touching the animals and other farm objects, including fence railings and gates, and especially before eating or drinking.
• Do not eat or drink or put your fingers in your mouth while you are near animals or before you have washed your hands.
• If possible to do so, thoroughly clean wellingtons and pushchair wheels before leaving the farm.