Top tips for safe farm visits

Are you prepared to have fun? That’s the question being asked by Hertsmere Borough Council in light of the E Coli breakout in Surrey.

Cllr Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for the environment, explained: "Although visits to farms  can be fun and very educational, animals can carry diseases that can be passed to people. That’s why we are reminding people to be prepared so that illness doesn’t spoil their fun.

“Maintaining good hygiene is the best way to avoid bugs. It is important to always wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet and before and after handling food. Hand washing in young children should be supervised, especially after handling animals or their surroundings, for instance on a visit to a farm. A little preparation before the visit can avoid these risks."

In the light of the EColi 0157 outbreak in Surrey, environmental health officers have visited local open farms in Hertsmere to ensure there are adequate washing facilities available to visitors, with running water, soap and disposable towels. In addition, the council is producing some leaflets for premises to hand out to visitors to give them some tips for their visits, as well as sending information to local schools.

Cllr Heywood added: "There is no suggestion that there are any problems within the borough but people do have to take responsibility for themselves and ensure that they maintain good hygiene standards in order to reduce the risks of such disease as far as is possible."

E coli is a species of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. There are many different types of E coli, and while some live in the intestine quite harmlessly, others may cause a variety of diseases. The bacterium is found in faeces and can survive in the environment.

The bacteria usually causes diarrhoea which settles within seven days without treatment, but can become more serious. Good hygiene is very important in preventing person-to-person spread and small children should be supervised with hand washing after using the toilet and before eating.

This may happen when eating food with unwashed contaminated hands or if hands are placed near or in the mouth after touching animals, fences, footwear or any other surfaces that may have been contaminated with animal faeces.

Follow our tips for safe farm visits:

• Wearing closed-toe footwear.
• Don’t eat or drink anything, including crisps, sweets and chewing gum, while walking around the farm.
• If you are touching or feeding animals, you should not place your face against the animals or put your hands in your mouth afterwards.
• After contact with animals, and before eating and drinking, ensure you wash and dry your hands thoroughly. If you are with young children they may need supervision when washing hands or need to have their hands washed for them.
• Animals should not be allowed into any picnic areas and food should be eaten well away from areas where animals are kept.
• Do not eat anything which may have fallen on the ground.
• Manure and slurry presents a particular risk of infection and you should avoid touching it. If you do, ensure you thoroughly wash and dry your hands immediately.

At the end of your visit ensure:

• Hands are washed thoroughly with soap and warm water and dried before you leave.
• Footwear is as free as possible from mud and faecal matter. Where possible wear wellington boots for the visit and change before leaving. Remember to wash your hands after removing footwear and to clean the boots on site or when you return home.