The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland has advised pregnant women to avoid close contact with sheep this spring lambing season, due to high associated risks of infection and miscarriage.
According to the PHA, the potential of suffering miscarriages, infections, and other correlating dangers facing pregnant individuals can be lowered, by staying clear of sheep during lambing season.
This is because viral organisms may be present in birth fluids of animals, which can be transmitted and become the source of human infections such as chlamydiosis, listeriosis, Q fever, and toxoplasmosis.
Although these infections are uncommon, and the number of human pregnancies affected by contact with sheep is extremely small, the PHA has deemed it “important” that pregnant women are made aware of the potential risks in order to safeguard both their and their baby’s health.
Consultant in health protection at the PHA, Dr. Patrick McAleavey, explained the reasoning behind this advice:
“While the number of reported infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is very low, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions.”
To minimise the risk of infection, pregnant women are advised to:
- Avoid assisting with lambing or milking ewes;
- Avoid contact with aborted, miscarried, or new-born lambs, as well as with afterbirth, birthing fluids, or contaminated materials such as bedding;
- Avoid handling clothing, boots, or other items that have been in contact with lambing ewes;
- Ensure that partners or household members who work with sheep wash thoroughly after contact with lambing ewes.
The PHA further explained that these risks are not exclusive to spring or to sheep alone. Other farm animals that have recently given birth, including cows and goats, can carry similar infections, it said.
“If a pregnant woman develops a fever, flu-like symptoms, or has concerns about possible exposure to infection from a farm environment, she should seek medical advice promptly,” Dr. McAleavey added.
