farm

Question

I am the mother of a 16-month-old boy with cystic fibrosis, diagnosed at 2 months of age. My parents in law have a farm with cows. There are also large reservoirs with maize and grass to feed the cows.
Also horses and dogs are on the farm.
What should I pay attention to and what is absolutely not good for him?

Answer

There is no real risk for your baby by visiting a farm. Even if there are animals and maize and grass present.
Once your child is bigger and wants to play on the farm standard hygienic measures are recommended: Wash the hands with soap and water (or disinfect) before eating, attention to safety, no contact with sick animals.
Rare cases have been described of germs passing from animal stock to people, but this is rather unusual and has mainly been described in sick adult patients with cystic fibrosis.
However, moist hay or organic animal food can bear mould fungi spores, therefore it would later be advisable, not to tidy the horse and cow stables and not to be in the stable at the time the food is uploaded and given in the animals' mangers as there will then be much dust containing mould fungi spores around.

On this website many questions relate to pets, hygiene, and other topics related to the environmnent. Just have a look around.
Best regards,
Prof Kris de Boeck

07.10.2013