Environmental health officers are investigating cases of two infectious diseases linked with lambing.
Over the past month, officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s environment directorate have been investigating cases of Cryptosporidium and Campylobacter infections.
Both are connected to farms across the island and are thought to be associated with handling livestock while lambing.
Food safety manager Ivan Bratty said: ‘These recent cases serve as a timely reminder of the importance of thorough hand washing after handling livestock and before preparing or handling food to prevent infection and the spread of disease in the community.
‘It is also important for anyone suffering from diarrhoea to avoid swimming pools as Cryptosporidium can survive in chlorinated water.’
Both organisms are associated with the digestive tract of humans and animals and can be spread by direct or indirect contact with faeces or by drinking water contaminated with faeces.
Infection typically causes diarrhoea with nausea and vomiting also associated with Camplyobacter infections.