PREGNANT women living or working on farms are at risk of infection from dirty work clothes or boots that have been in contact with sheep during lambing.
This stark warning has been issued jointly by the Department of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Health and Safety Executive.
Sheep can carry infections including chlamydiosis, toxoplasmosis and listeriosis which are common causes of a ewe losing a lamb.
Pregnant women living and working on farms or likely to be in contact with lambing ewes should not help with lambing or milk ewes, and should not touch an aborted or new-born lamb or the afterbirth.
They should also avoid handling clothing and boots which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.
Although the number of reports of infections and miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks, according to MAFF.
Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or flu-like symptoms after being in a farm environment.
A Department of Health leaflet "While You are Pregnant: How to Avoid Infection from Food and from Contact with Animals" is available free of charge from GPs and midwives.
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