Farm visit – infection prevention measures
Visits to working farms are a regular feature of education for children from both rural and urban environments and are beneficial to children, helping them to appreciate the origin of their food and learn about aspects of rural life.
Farm visits can carry a small risk to children of acquiring infection, particularly gastroenteritis. Several micro-organisms are commonly present in livestock animals and may cause gastroenteritis in humans. They may be found in faecal droppings and elsewhere in the farm environment.
Particular care must be taken by expectant mothers if visiting farms during lambing season.
Risks can be mitigated primarily by simple hygiene measures which, if followed, will help ensure the visit is well-managed and safe. Parents, teachers and children should be made aware of these measures and they should be reemphasised before and during the visit.
- Wash hands thoroughly after contact with the animals, if touching footwear, before eating or drinking anything etc. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap. Hand sanitisers alone are not sufficient
- Avoid touching faces or putting fingers in mouths while in farm environments
- Cover any cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing
- Don’t kiss farm animals or allow children to put their faces close to animals
- Where possible, clean or clean and change their footwear before leaving. The site should have facilities to clean footwear as you leave the site. Clean pushchair wheels as well
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after any cleaning and/or changing footwear
If anyone who took part in the visit shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) up to 2 weeks after a farm visit, advise them or their parent/guardian to contact their doctor and explain that they have had recent contact with animals.
Safety videos:
UKHSA have also made the following videos explaining ways to stay safe on farm visit:
