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Gerbils - infection risk to infants?

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  • 12-08-2010 10:02pm
    #1
    worded
    Registered Users Posts: 4,547 ✭✭✭


    We have a baby 6 months old and a relative has Gerbils.

    Is there any risk of having a member of the rodent family in the same room as an infant. Im referring to Gerbils poo and what it might carry.

    We were never intended to live so close to rodents were we?


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    #2
    Interceptor
    Registered Users Posts: 3,180 ✭✭✭Interceptor


    You have nothing to worry about - the gerbils are more at risk of catching something from you.

    Provided normal hand hygiene is practised and everyone washes their hands like they are supposed to around new babies there is nothing to worry about. If you raise your baby in a totally sterile environment it is not exposed to the bacteria necessary to develop a proper flora of antibodies, however I don't suggest that it gets its first gerbil until it is at least five.

    Do you insist everyone takes their shoes off entering your house? This is one of the best ways of preventing nasty stuff coming in - you have no idea what is coming in on the soles of peoples feet. The gerbils are less of a threat to your kid than your houseplants or your carpets.

    'cptr


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