Keep infection at bay while having fun on the farm

Date published: 20 March 2010

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is reminding parents, children and schoolteachers to protect themselves from infection during and after farm visits by taking a few simple measures.

The advice is being issued in the run up to the Easter holiday period when visits to farms are particularly popular.

Every year an upsurge of cases of cryptosporidiosis, E.coli 0157, salmonella, campylobacter and giardia, takes place from April to June, some of which can be associated with visits to farms.

Dr Ken Lamden, the HPA’s North West lead for gastro-intestinal infections, said: “At this time of year we usually see a rise in cases of gastrointestinal infections including cryptosporidiosis, E.coli 0157, salmonella, campylobacter and giardia. Some of these infections are associated with parents and teachers taking children to visit farms. Equally, if someone picks up an infection at a farm there is the additional risk that they will pass it on to other people.

“Farm visits are fun, educational and extremely worthwhile. We wouldn’t want to discourage them but it is important that anyone who has contact with animals remembers to wash their hands thoroughly before eating or putting their fingers in, or near, their mouth.

“Most farms offer special facilities for hand washing so we would urge people to make full use of them rather than risk spoiling a great day out by picking up an infection.”

Advice to parents and teachers taking children on farm visits:

• Parents and teachers should check that the farm offers good hand washing facilities to include hot water, soap and paper towels

• Children and their supervisors should always wash hands carefully after touching animals and other farm objects, especially before eating and drinking

• Where possible, wellingtons and pushchair wheels should be cleaned before leaving the farm and hands should be washed immediately afterwards.

Advice to parents and guardians of children who have picked up a tummy bug following a visit to a farm:

• Ensure all family members take great care with hand washing to avoid spreading infection

• Hand washing should be vigorous with hot water and soap and is particularly important after visiting the toilet, changing nappies or handling soiled fabrics and before preparing food or eating

• Regular and thorough cleaning of surfaces such as toilet seats, flush handles and taps is essential to control infection

• After an episode of infectious gastric illness, children should stay away from school until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

Further details on farms visits and E.coli are available at: www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1254510417263