Pregnant women warned over sheep

Mar 6 2009 by Lisa Boyle

HEALTH chiefs are warning pregnant women not to touch sheep this lambing season.

Some infections can be passed from sheep to humans.

In particular, pregnant women should avoid being involved in milking or lambing ewes, avoid contact with aborted or newborn lambs or with the afterbirth.

Neither should they handle clothes or boots which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.

Farmers can receive further advice from employment medical advisory service offices, which are listed under the health and safety executive in the telephone book.