More people become ill after contact with animals at a Welsh farm shop
Health chiefs have revealed that 47 people have now become ill with a parasitic infection after visiting calf and lamb feeding and petting sessions at a Welsh farm.
An investigation was initially launched on Wednesday after Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed that it was investigating 28 cases of cryptosporidium infection in people who visited the Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness. It is often linked to contact with animals, particularly young farm animals such as calves and lambs.
The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea, mild fever, and loss of appetite and weight loss.
Incubation period
Due to the incubation period of the infection, PHW says it expects further infections in the coming weeks.
The farm shop voluntarily ended calf and lamb feeding and petting sessions last week and are cooperating with investigations.
Su Mably, Consultant in Health protection for Public Health Wales said: “We are continuing to investigate this outbreak with our partners. While the infection is usually mild and self-limiting, it can be more serious in young children or people with weakened immune systems.
“We urge anyone who visited the farm and is feeling unwell to contact their GP or NHS 111. Practising good hygiene is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
Symptoms
Symptoms typically begin between two and 10 days after contact with the parasite and can last for up to two weeks.
Young children and people with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the infection.
PHW said people should be aware of the “potential health risks” of visiting petting farms, adding that “pregnant women should take particular care and avoid contact with newborn lambs during lambing season”.
The health body said those visiting petting farms should follow good hygiene practices by washing their hands, not eating or drinking while walking around, supervising children closely, and removing and cleaning footwear after leaving the farm.
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
The Vet Book for Sheep Farmers, page 361 talks of fast, heavy and long term contamination and resistance to most disinfectants…
Contrast the approach of the Senedd to this serious breach of public health safety and that to the cruelty of animal testing…it shows up the weakness of our politicians to act and protect us…
🤣 This has absolutely nothing whatsoever at all to do with politics
What do you know about sheep and their waste. Ide say nothing. Do you eat tomatoes, well if you do, think what makes them grow. The people who grow tomatoes rely on sheep manure (raw), put it large containers, filled with water and that is used to water the plants. Aw, we’re you having a tomato sandwich? That’s what you call ORGANIC VEGETABLES!
Does it come with Cryptosporidium, this tomato sandwich…?
A protozoan parasite…sounds nice…
Now, your blaming farmers for spreading FYM. How are farmers meant to get rid of the waste. FYM is the best fertiliser that farmers can put on their land. Even Gardeners are often going to farms to get a few bags of the lovely smelling manure to spread all over the gardens, around fruit trees and flowers. Good old cow and horse manure
Thanks for the warning. I am immunocompromised, but this is a risk that I was not aware of.