Last updated on May 23rd, 2022 at 07:55 am
Zoonotic diseases are transmitted between farm animals and humans and can pose additional risks to those who are pregnant. Farmers and farmworkers have higher levels of risk for contracting zoonotic diseases because of the frequency of their exposure to animals. Prevention is the best defense. Understanding how the disease transmission process works is essential in preventing the spread of zoonotic disease. Women working in agriculture should be aware of the following special considerations during pregnancy: which animals are common carriers of zoonotic disease, symptoms of the disease(s), prevention measures, and pregnancy risks. This new resource Zoonotic Disease & Pregnancy: A Brief Overview, which you can watch below, can be used as a tool to start a vital conversation with agricultural workers on zoonotic safety.