Farm Visits

Preventing Infection

Visits to wildlife parks have always been popular with schools and increasingly children are encouraged to touch and stroke some animals.

In addition, farm visits are becoming popular and some working farms encourage such visits from schools and other educational groups.

The Problem

Diseases are usually spread by direct contact between animals and children - particularly if children eat food or put their fingers in their mouths after touching animals.

The key to prevention is good hygiene including thorough handwashing.

From time to time children contract diseases from animals. It must be stressed that most are not serious but a few cause considerable discomfort to those affected.

Ecoli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium are commonly found in farm animals and if picked up by children may cause abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever (gastroenteritis). These organisms are found in dung and animal droppings. The risk of infection is increased if any substance containing these organisms is eaten or if the children's hands become contaminated and they then lick their fingers.

PLEASE NOTE

Schools are asked to inform their Local Authority Environmental Health Department of any outbreak of illness or diarrhoea following a farm/wildlife park visit. Advice prior to such visits may be obtained from the Food and Safety Team. Pregnant women should not handle farm animals.

Preventative Measures

The most important points for parents/teachers and farmers/wildlife park staff are as follows:

For Parent/Teacher

Most diseases acquired from animals can be prevented by cleanliness. A pre-visit talk about hygiene measures and reinforcement during the visit is recommended.

Children should not drink raw milk (unpasteurised) or eat any animal food stuffs nor drink from taps unless clearly marked as suitable.
Discourage children from putting fingers in their mouths.
Children should be closely supervised if direct contact with animals is likely. Many animals have dried faeces and urine on their skin and may nuzzle children and suck their fingers.
Children should remove any heavily soiled clothing, ensure footwear is free from faecal material and wash their hand thoroughly following the visit.
Children should eat or drink in designated areas and only after washing their hands.
Children should not eat anything that has fallen on the ground eg apples without washing them in drinking water.
Children should be warned not to touch manure or slurry.
Young children may need to be supervised when washing their hands to ensure thorough cleaning.

For Farmers/Wildlife Park Staff

Children must not eat animal feed or raw milk.
High standards of cleanliness are required in areas to be visited by children. Risks of infection can be kept to a minimum by regular cleaning down with a good proprietary soapy disinfectant solution.
Sick animals must be kept away from visitors.
Adequate washing facilities must be provided for visitors including soap, preferably hot running tap water and disposable towels. Visitors should be encouraged to wash their hands before leaving the site and before eating food.
Notices should be provided reminding visitors of the need for hand washing.
If refreshments are to be eaten on site, please provide a separate clean area (not in a building used for animals).
Suitable precautions should be taken to restrict dangerous areas, eg near slurry pits.