General Information
This 'Advice to Pregnant Women During the Lambing Season' FAQ section has been split up into multiple pages, dealing with General information below and more detailed information on the particular infections that could be passed from ewes to pregnant women. The other more detailed pages can be viewed using the menu on the left hand side.
- What are the main infectious hazards for pregnant women in contact with sheep?
- What other organisms cause abortion in sheep?
- Do these agents represent any risk for pregnant women?
1. What are the main infectious hazards for pregnant women in contact with sheep?
Chlamydiosis (EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis. All of these agents are zoonotic (i.e. can be transmitted from animals to humans), and cause abortion in sheep and may harm pregnant women or their unborn children.
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2. What other organisms cause abortion in sheep?
Campylobacter, salmonella and coxiella (Q fever). More rarely in the UK, abortion may be due to Border Disease and tick-borne fever. Abortion may also be caused by various fungi.
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3. Do these agents represent any risk for pregnant women?
Neither salmonellosis nor campylobacteriosis are associated with specific effects upon human pregnancy, but both can cause human illness. A possible link between Q fever and an adverse outcome, in one case abortion and in another sudden infant death syndrome, has been suggested but there is as yet insufficient evidence to support this suggestion.
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