FAMILIES across the North West planning a trip to a farm this Easter are being reminded to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals to avoid picking up infections that can cause serious illness.

While farm visits are brilliant family fun, farm animals can carry bugs including cryptosporidium, E.coli and salmonella, which can be passed to humans through direct contact with animals, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces like fences and gates. Some of these infections can be very serious, particularly for young children and pregnant women.

Emma Savage, Consultant in Health Protection at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:- "Farm visits are a fantastic experience for families, however there is a small risk of catching infections from the animals or the environment. Farm animals can carry germs that are invisible to the naked eye. Even if your hands look clean, they may not be. Washing thoroughly with soap and warm water straight after touching animals, and before eating, is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your children. Hand gels and wipes won't work – they don't remove the bugs found in farm dirt."

Annabel Shackleton from Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) said:- "We want people to continue enjoying and learning from farm visits safely. The key is thorough handwashing with soap and running water immediately after touching animals or their enclosures, and always before eating. Adults should supervise children to make sure they wash properly every time."

How to stay safe during a farm visit

A few simple steps can ensure families stay healthy while enjoying everything farms have to offer this Easter.

Always:-

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after touching animals, fences or surfaces in animal areas, and before eating or drinking
• Eat and drink only in designated picnic areas or cafés
• Supervise children closely to ensure they wash their hands properly
• Clean any soiled footwear and pushchair wheels before leaving, then wash your hands again
• Remember that if you handle lambs or other animals, germs may transfer to your clothes

Never:-

• Put fingers in mouths or hands on faces while around animals
• Allow children to put their faces close to animals
• Eat, drink or chew gum while walking around the farm or touching animals
• Return a child’s dummy, comforter or toy if it has fallen on the ground, until items have been washed thoroughly
• Rely on hand gels or wipes instead of soap and water- they don’t remove the bugs

What to do if you feel unwell after a farm visit

If you or anyone in your group develops diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach pains within two weeks of visiting a farm, contact your GP or call NHS 111. If anyone, particularly a young child, has blood in their diarrhoea, seek urgent medical attention immediately.

Anyone with symptoms should stay away from work, school or childcare until they have been free of diarrhoea and vomiting for at least 48 hours. If diagnosed with cryptosporidium, avoid swimming for 2 weeks after symptoms clear, as the parasite is resistant to chlorine.