Can Children Get Sick From Sheep? Understanding Zoonotic Diseases

What Are Zoonotic Diseases?

Zoonotic diseases are infections that can spread from animals to humans. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, approximately 60 percent of all human diseases have animal origins. When it comes to sheep, children can get sick through direct contact with infected animals, touching contaminated surfaces, consuming unpasteurized dairy products, or breathing in contaminated air particles.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can get diseases from sheep, certain groups face higher risks:

• Young children under 5 years old
• Children with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women and elderly individuals
• People taking immune-suppressing medications

Common Diseases Children Can Get From Sheep

1. Orf Disease (Contagious Ecthyma)

Orf is a viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children often get this disease after visiting petting zoos or handling lambs.

The good news is that orf usually heals on its own without special treatment. Children rarely show serious symptoms, though the lesions should be covered to prevent spreading.

2. Cryptosporidiosis

This is a parasitic infection affecting the intestines. The parasite called Cryptosporidium is particularly common in young lambs. Research from the MSD Veterinary Manual shows this disease is highly prevalent in pre-weaned animals worldwide.

Children between 1 and 4 years old are most commonly affected. The symptoms may come and go for up to 30 days. School children visiting open farms and petting zoos have been frequently reported to contract this disease.

3. Q Fever

Q fever is caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. According to Washington State University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, this infection is most associated with birthing animals, as the bacteria are found in high concentrations in birth fluids and placentas.

4. Campylobacteriosis

This bacterial infection is a major cause of intestinal illness in humans. The United States Department of Agriculture notes that people can become infected through contact with infected animals or by consuming contaminated food.

5. Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

Despite its name, ringworm is not a worm but a fungal skin infection. Children can catch it through direct contact with infected sheep.

Diseases From Unpasteurized Sheep Milk Products

Some diseases spread through consuming raw sheep milk or products made from it, including certain cheeses. A study published in the journal Veterinary Research highlights that young children should be especially careful.

Disease	Source	Main Symptoms
Listeriosis	Unpasteurized milk and cheese	Fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea
Salmonellosis	Contaminated dairy and meat	Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps
E. coli Infection	Contaminated food or water	Severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea

When to See a Doctor

How to Protect Your Children

Before Farm Visits

• Check if children are healthy before visiting farms or petting zoos
• Avoid visits if your child has a weakened immune system
• Dress children in clothes that cover arms and legs
• Bring hand wipes and ensure handwashing facilities are available

During Animal Contact

• Supervise young children at all times around sheep
• Do not allow children to put hands, toys, or objects in their mouths while near animals
• Keep food and drinks away from animal areas
• Avoid touching sheep faces, mouths, or any areas with visible sores
• Stay away from pregnant sheep or newborn lambs
• Do not touch birth materials or fluids

After Farm Visits

• Wash hands immediately after leaving animal areas
• Wash again before eating or drinking anything
• Remove shoes before entering your home
• Wash clothes that were worn during the farm visit
• Clean any cuts or scrapes thoroughly with soap and water

Food Safety Guidelines

• Only give children pasteurized milk and dairy products
• Cook all lamb and mutton meat to proper internal temperatures
• Avoid raw or undercooked meat for children
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat
• Keep raw meat away from other foods

Special Considerations for Different Settings

Petting Zoos and Farm Visits

Educational farm visits are wonderful experiences, but they require extra care. The Center for Food Security and Public Health recommends these safety measures specifically for children visiting such places.

Living on a Farm

If your family lives on a farm with sheep:

• Teach children farm safety rules from an early age
• Create designated clean zones where children play
• Keep children away from lambing areas during birthing season
• Maintain regular veterinary care for your sheep
• Dispose of animal waste properly and regularly
• Consider vaccination programs for sheep where available

Teaching Children About Animal Safety

Education is one of the best prevention tools. Help your children understand:

• Animals can carry germs even when they look healthy
• Washing hands is not optional after touching animals
• Never eat, drink, or put fingers in mouth around animals
• Tell an adult if they get scratched or bitten
• Some areas on farms are off-limits for good reasons

The Benefits Still Outweigh the Risks

While this information might sound concerning, remember that with proper precautions, interactions with sheep are generally safe. These experiences teach children about animals, nature, and agriculture. The key is being informed and taking simple preventive steps.

Quick Reference Guide

Prevention Step	Why It Matters
Handwashing with soap	Removes germs that cause most infections
Avoid unpasteurized dairy	Kills harmful bacteria in milk products
Supervise children closely	Prevents risky behaviors like putting hands in mouth
Cover cuts and scrapes	Prevents germs from entering through broken skin
Stay away from birthing areas	Highest concentration of germs during lambing

What If Your Child Gets Sick?

If your child develops symptoms after contact with sheep:

1. Note when the symptoms started and when the animal contact occurred
2. Keep track of all symptoms and their severity
3. Contact your pediatrician and mention the animal exposure
4. Follow the doctor's treatment recommendations carefully
5. Keep your child hydrated, especially if they have diarrhea
6. Keep sick children home from school to prevent spreading infection

References and Further Reading

For more detailed information, consult these official sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website - section on zoonotic diseases
• United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
• Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University
• American Academy of Pediatrics - Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases
• World Health Organization guidelines on zoonoses
• Your state or local health department resources

Final Thoughts

Understanding diseases that can spread from sheep to children helps you make informed decisions about animal interactions. With basic precautions like proper handwashing, food safety, and supervision, your children can safely enjoy learning about and interacting with these wonderful animals. The goal is not to create fear, but to promote safe practices that protect your family while preserving the valuable experiences that come from connecting with animals and nature.

Labels: Animals-Birds