Parents urged to remember hand hygiene during farm visits to avoid stomach bugs
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are reminding people to practice good hand hygiene during farm visits this half term.
As families across the West Midlands enjoy half term, there's a warning to remember good hand hygiene if visiting farms and animal attractions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said bugs such as cryptosporidium and STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), which can cause severe stomach infections, are widespread in settings with lots of animals present.
Megan Tarbard, and her two-and-a-half-year-old son Ted, both fell ill with cryptosporidiosis following a recent farm visit during lambing season.
Though Megan and Ted washed their hands during their visit they came into contact with animals and picked up the bug.
Megan said: “I don’t think people appreciate just how ill these infections can make you – this is not like a 24-hour stomach bug that most people experience. I and my son felt awful and were seriously unwell for days.
"I had to take two weeks off work and my son had to stay away from nursery for the same period. I am very hygiene conscious at home so managed to prevent spreading the bug to my partner.
“Like most people I thought I had taken all necessary precautions by washing my hands, however, after petting and holding some of the lambs I realised keeping the dirt and germs at bay was not that easy. We continued to wash our hands but after returning home a few days later we both fell ill.”
Paul Fisher, Health Protection Consultant for UKHSA West Midlands, said: “Thousands of people in the West Midlands region go to animal attractions each year. Visiting a farm is a fun day out, which is enjoyable and educational, particularly for children.
"However, animals can be the source of several bugs that can be passed to humans and cause illness, with some infections particularly serious for children or pregnant women.
"Sadly, this year we have already seen a significant number of cases of nasty stomach bugs 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.
“Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after you’ve had contact with animals and before eating or drinking will reduce the risk of infection. Don’t use gels or wipes instead of soap and water, as these are not a substitute for washing your hands and do not remove bugs in dirt."