Hand gels and wipes should not be used in place of soap and water to protect against germs at children’s farms, say health experts.

20 April 2011 Last updated at 02:40 GMT

The Health Protection Agency has issued the warning ahead of Easter, when many families visit open farms. It says hand gels cannot remove contamination in the way that soap and water can, but may provide extra benefit after washing. About three outbreaks of stomach upsets a year are linked with petting farms. Dr Bob Adak, an expert in gastrointestinal disease at the HPA, said visiting a farm is an enjoyable experience but contact with farm animals carries a risk of infection.

Source: BBC NEWS