This document is intended to give health advice to all farmers and those caring for animals. It is especially relevant for farmers in relation to all visitors to their
farms and is particularly relevant to farmers who admit paying guests to their farms.

Visits to farms have grown in popularity over recent years; they are considered to be both educational and an enjoyable leisurely pastime. Ill health following a farm visit is uncommon, however it should be recognised that all animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which may be transmitted to humans and cause ill health. Such ill health may be potentially very serious. For example E.Coli O157 bacteria gives rise to diarrhoea and fever and may go on to cause more severe illnesses such as haemorrhagic colitis (bloody diarrhoea) or haemolytic uraemic syndrome (kidney failure).

There are a number of other organisms that cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting. These are usually mild or temporary. However some of these organisms can also cause serious complications. The purpose of this manual is to help prevent these illnesses through the use of simple practices. Given the increasing popularity amongst the public for farm visiting, we feel it is important to assist the farming community in the prevention and control of the risk posed by these organisms to the general public, and indeed to the farming community itself. It is for this reason that this pack was produced by the HSE South East Zoonoses Committee.

Click on the link on this page to read or download the booklet.