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Warning notice near Spring Hill, Grendon Underwood

This notice fixed to the fence adjoining a field of sheep on the slopes of Spring Hill, SP6821 : Sheep near Spring Hill, Grendon Underwood, warns of enzootic abortion which is a disease of sheep caused by an organism called Chlamydophila abortus, and which can cause abortion and the birth of weak and sickly lambs that may die soon afterwards.

The organism can be carried on boots and clothing and can affect humans, hence the warning 'pregnant women who come in contact with infected ewes during lambing time of severe illness or miscarriage'. The number of reports however of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep are extremely small, but farmers have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women.