Latest news with #Cryptosporidium
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
More cases of parasite outbreak confirmed after visits to popular Welsh petting farm
More cases of parasite outbreak confirmed after visits to popular Welsh petting farm Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs Four-year-old Michael contracted Cryptosporidium from the Cowbridge Farm Shop in April. (Image: Gareth Carpenter ) Public Health Wales is urging people to maintain good hygiene practices when visiting farms, after eight more cases of cryptosporidium, which can cause gastrointestinal illness, were linked to a Cowbridge farm in March and April of this year. The fifth meeting of the multi-agency outbreak control team convened on Saturday, May 24, to address an outbreak of cryptosporidium associated with visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm, Cross Ways, Cowbridge, CF71 7LJ, which has led to 89 confirmed cases so far. After the outbreak, the farm voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities on April 29. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here . Cryptosporidium, a parasite, is often contracted through contact with animals, particularly young farm animals like calves and lambs, and has been the focus of warnings from Public Health experts. They advise those who have been in contact with infected individuals to be vigilant in preventing the spread of the infection. Susan Mably, consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales, said: "We are continuing to work closely with our partners to investigate this outbreak and to prevent any further spread of infection. "Cryptosporidium usually clears up on its own, but it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weaker immune systems. "Cryptosporidium can also spread from person to person. If you develop symptoms after being in contact with someone who became ill following a visit to this farm, or any other farm where they have handled or fed the animals, it's important to get medical advice. Washing your hands properly, especially before eating or preparing food, is one of the best ways to stop the infection spreading." Gareth Carpenter, a father whose son, Michael is suspected to have contracted the parasite at the farm said he had never seen his son as ill as he got after the infection. You can read more about that here. The main symptoms of cryptosporidium include: Watery diarrhoea Stomach pains or cramps Nausea or vomiting Mild fever Loss of appetite Weight loss The symptoms typically commence between two and 10 days after exposure and can persist for up to two weeks. Although, there are ways you can minimise the risk of infection. Individuals visiting farms are advised to adhere to hygiene precautions, including avoiding close contact with animals like holding, cuddling or kissing animals, as this significantly heightens the risk of illness. They say you should always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water after touching animals, footwear, clothing, bikes, scooters, prams etc. before consuming food or drink. However, alcohol-based hand gels do not provide adequate cleaning and the mechanical action of washing with soap and water is the most reliable method to remove the parasite from the skin. Remember to supervise children closely to ensure they wash their hands properly and to avoid close contact, especially cuddling or kissing the animals. They also suggest refraining from eating or drinking while interacting with animals or walking around the farm and to remove and clean footwear and wash hands after departing the premises. Pregnant women should be particularly cautious to avoid contact with new born lambs during lambing season. Those who have experienced the above symptoms following a visit to a farm should be particularly vigilant in preventing the spread of the infection to others in their household. You can do this by maintaining good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing with soap and warm water, and refraining from sharing towels, bedding, or other personal items until you have completely recovered. It is especially crucial to wash your hands prior to preparing food. Refrain from swimming for a fortnight after your symptoms have disappeared, as the parasite can linger in the body for a while after symptoms have subsided, posing a risk of infecting others. Anyone who has symptoms and has visited the Cowbridge Farm Shop (especially those who took part in the calf or lamb feeding sessions), are told that they should contact their GP or call NHS 111 Wales and let them know that you have visited the site. Article continues below More information about cryptosporidium is available on the website:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Number of people ill from petting farm hits 89
The number of people who have contracted a parasitic infection after attending calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in south Wales has risen to 89. There have been eight new cases of cryptosporidium confirmed by Public Health Wales (PHW), all linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during March and April. PHW previously said the infection led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night, including a four-year-old boy. The farm shop, which the BBC has approached for comment, voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on 29 April and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, PHW said. Boy, 4, left in hospital as 74 ill from petting farm Warning of 'massive impact' of farm virus in Wales Dozens ill after farm shop petting sessions Cryptosporidium is commonly associated with contact with farm animals, and can spread easily from person to person and poses increased risk to young children and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and can last for up to two weeks. PHW warned infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two weeks. Susan Mably, consultant in health protection at PHW, said: "Cryptosporidium usually clears up on its own, but it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weaker immune systems." She added that the infection can be spread from person to person and the key is "washing your hands properly". Officials from PHW and other agencies met on 24 May for the fifth time since the outbreak began, to co-ordinate the response. Visitors to petting farms are being reminded to avoid close contact with animals, supervise children closely, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals or walking around a farm. Alcohol hand gels do not provide sufficient protection. Pregnant women are also being advised to steer clear of new-born lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness called cryptosporidiosis. It lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. It can then spread to water sources such as lakes, rivers, and swimming pools, as well as food like raw milk. The illness can affect anyone but is most common in children aged one to five. Symptoms, which can last for around two weeks, include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment but most people feel better within a month.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
CCO preferred option for Three Waters
A recommendation for a council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver Three Waters services in the Queenstown Lakes district will go out for public consultation on Monday. Councillors voted 8-2 in favour of the recommendation at a full council meeting in Arrowtown yesterday, taking another step in revamping Three Waters delivery in line with the government's 'Local Water Done Well' reforms. In her report for councillors, council strategy and reform manager Pennie Pearce said compared to an "in-house" model, a CCO would provide the "greatest opportunity to deliver high-quality, resilient, sustainable and reliable water services". The council would transfer the district's drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets — and associated liabilities — to the CCO, but would be its sole shareholder. The CCO would operate independently from the council, with its own specialist board and management. It would not need to consult with the community, but the council would set its expectations and priorities through a statement of expectations. The report said average annual water charges for households would increase significantly under either model, but were estimated to be 10% lower under a CCO in the long-term. The council's debt would significantly decrease, giving it more "headroom" for non-Three Waters capital spending. Mayor Glyn Lewers said he strongly backed a CCO, saying the litany of Three Waters failures the current council had been forced to deal with were the outcome of poor decisions by previous councils. The 2023 Cryptosporidium outbreak, the Shotover wastewater disposal field failure, and the need to truck waste out of Hawea were all the result of "political interference", and had led to households having to pay more for water services. The council was investing nearly $1.5 billion on Three Waters infrastructure over the next 10 years, and he wanted a professional board overseeing that, Mr Lewers said. Cr Gavin Bartlett said the projected reduction in council debt under a CCO would allow the council to "focus on the other services we provide". The two councillors to vote against the recommendation expressed scepticism that a CCO would result in better decision-making. Cr Quentin Smith said it did not guarantee a higher level of expertise, and he favoured an in-house model. Cr Niki Gladding said keeping Three Waters delivery inside the council ensured transparency and accountability. "I think we're going to lose something with a technical board that meets quarterly." The four-week consultation period will end on June 29, with the council expected to make a final decision on July 31.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Number of people ill from petting farm hits 89
The number of people who have contracted a parasitic infection after attending calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in south Wales has risen to 89. There have been eight new cases of cryptosporidium confirmed by Public Health Wales (PHW), all linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during March and April. PHW previously said the infection led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night, including a four-year-old boy. The farm shop, which the BBC has approached for comment, voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on 29 April and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, PHW said. Boy, 4, left in hospital as 74 ill from petting farm Warning of 'massive impact' of farm virus in Wales Dozens ill after farm shop petting sessions Cryptosporidium is commonly associated with contact with farm animals, and can spread easily from person to person and poses increased risk to young children and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and can last for up to two weeks. PHW warned infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two weeks. Susan Mably, consultant in health protection at PHW, said: "Cryptosporidium usually clears up on its own, but it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weaker immune systems." She added that the infection can be spread from person to person and the key is "washing your hands properly". Officials from PHW and other agencies met on 24 May for the fifth time since the outbreak began, to co-ordinate the response. Visitors to petting farms are being reminded to avoid close contact with animals, supervise children closely, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals or walking around a farm. Alcohol hand gels do not provide sufficient protection. Pregnant women are also being advised to steer clear of new-born lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness called cryptosporidiosis. It lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. It can then spread to water sources such as lakes, rivers, and swimming pools, as well as food like raw milk. The illness can affect anyone but is most common in children aged one to five. Symptoms, which can last for around two weeks, include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment but most people feel better within a month.
Medscape
5 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Juice Cleanses Likely Good for Nothing, Bad for Much
'It's a great way to get those fruits and vegetables into my diet, especially since I can't be bothered peeling or preparing them…' 'I lost weight and felt lighter…' 'I'm helping my body detox, and that's a good feeling.' Social media is rife with statements like the above about juice cleanses. It's a favorite topic as well as something patients often ask about. The perception is that by doing a juice cleanse, they're doing something healthy for themselves — yet experts agree that in most cases, they're not. But if they're having a conversation or asking about it, it offers an opportunity to provide evidence-based guidance. American Gastroenterological Association Spokesperson Fazia Mir, MD, clinical assistant professor at the University of New Mexico and a gastroenterologist with Presbyterian Healthcare Services, both in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said some of her patients ask about juice cleanses because they're interested in doing a liver detox or helping their gut inflammation. 'I tell them that, in fact, it does the opposite,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'The majority of juice cleanses impact gut health negatively. They can cause bowel habit irregularity and even precipitate inflammatory bowel disease, as the gut microbiota is disrupted due to the lack of fiber in these cleanses. And we see patients all the time whose irritable bowel syndrome worsens after they've embarked on a juice cleanse.' What the Evidence Says There's little evidence to support the use of juice cleanses for eliminating toxins from the body, according to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Furthermore, some juices used in 'detoxes' and 'cleanses' haven't been pasteurized or treated in other ways to kill harmful bacteria, meaning they can expose individuals to toxigenic E coli, Salmonella , hepatitis A, and Cryptosporidium . In addition, some juices are made from foods high in oxalate, such as leafy green vegetables and beets. Individuals susceptible to kidney stone formation should limit their consumption of high-oxalate foods, which can present a health threat. In fact, a case report published several years ago documented acute oxalate nephropathy caused by a 'green smoothie cleanse' prepared from juicing oxalate-rich green leafy vegetables and fruits. 'Reality Check' Two recent studies highlight the negative impact of juice cleanses. In a small randomized, three-arm intervention study with 14 healthy participants published online in Nutrients , 'a 3-day exclusive juice cleanse (800-900 kcal/d) led to shifts in the oral and gut microbiome, with increases in taxa linked to inflammation, gut permeability, and even cognitive decline after juice consumption,' said principal author Melinda Ring, MD, executive director, Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University in Chicago. Participants followed one of three diets — juice only, juice plus food, or plant-based food — for 3 days. Microbiota samples (stool, saliva, and inner cheek swabs) were collected at baseline, after a pre-intervention elimination diet, immediately after the juice intervention, and 14 days after the intervention. Gene sequencing was used to analyze microbiota taxonomic composition. The juice-only group showed the most significant increase in bacteria associated with inflammation and gut permeability, as well as associated changes in the saliva and cheek microbiota — particularly in the relative abundances of proinflammatory bacterial families. These changes are potentially due to the high sugar and low fiber intake of the juice-related products, the authors suggested. Ring said the study 'offers a reality check' on juice cleanses. 'Whether a cleanse is 'healthy' depends on the individual and the intent behind it,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'A short, structured cleanse, ideally lasting no more than 1-3 days, can be safe for many people if it focuses on polyphenol-rich, low-sugar vegetables rather than fruit, retains some fiber (as in blended rather than pressed juices), and avoids extreme calorie restriction.' Pediatricians should also be aware that a high-sugar, low-fiber diet may promote the growth of pro-inflammatory taxa, first author Maria Luisa Savo Sardaro, PhD, a professor of food microbiology at San Raffaele University in Rome, Italy, told Medscape Medical News . 'Families often rely on juice boxes in lunch packs, believing they're a healthy substitute for whole fruit, and school cafeterias frequently offer sugary drinks throughout the day,' she said. 'Together, these habits may contribute to an early life increase of inflammation in children.' Change Dietary Guidelines? Although it did not address juice cleanses per se, a new review published online in Nutrition Bulletin specifically compared evidence on whole fruit and 100% fruit juice with regard to nutrient composition, impact on hunger and satiety, and association with chronic health conditions. Lead author Hemangi Mavadiya, a PhD candidate at the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, said that, like the Nutrients study, the review of 83 studies found juicing does indeed remove much of the dietary fiber that has beneficial effects on the gut. In addition, processing and/or storing 100% fruit juice reduces vitamins and other antioxidant contents and transforms intrinsic sugars in the whole fruit into free sugars, which have little nutritional benefit. Furthermore, fruit consumed in solid form provides greater satiety due to delayed gastric emptying and related physiological reactions, and 'the synergistic effects of polyphenols and fiber in whole fruit benefit the gut microbiome by acting as prebiotics and producing short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation,' the authors wrote. The review also showed that consuming high amounts of fruit juice is associated with increased risks for certain types of cancer, while results were mixed for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. As a result of their findings, the authors recommended that the next version of the next set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, coming out at the end of 2025, be updated to better reflect the amount of whole fruit and 100% fruit juice adults and children should consume. Current guidelines recommend that at least half of the daily recommended fruit intake of two cups a day should come from whole fruits, potentially allowing the other half to be fulfilled by 100% fruit juice. Tips for Patients What are clinicians telling their patients regarding juice cleanses? 'When used as a bridge to more sustainable, whole-food, high-fiber eating habits, a brief cleanse might serve as a motivational tool,' Ring said. 'However, clinicians should counsel patients that detoxification is a natural, ongoing function of the liver and kidneys, not something that requires commercial juice products.' Patients should also be told that juice cleanses may temporarily disrupt the body's microbial balance, likely due to their high sugar and low fiber content and may not support long-term gut health. 'Cleanses may offer a psychological 'reset,' but without adequate fiber and protein, they could undermine microbial diversity and resilience, especially if repeated or prolonged.' Patients who love juicing can consider blending instead, to keep the fiber intact, or pairing juices with whole foods to balance the impact on the microbiome, she suggested. Mavadiya advises patients read food labels, which can help distinguish between fruit juice and fruit drinks, since the latter 'is loaded with added sugars,' and it's easy to confuse the two. 'Ultimately, the healthiest path forward is not a periodic cleanse, but a consistent, nutrient-dense, fiber-rich diet that supports gut and systemic health over the long term,' Ring concluded. Furthermore, clinicians should assess for underlying conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders, or frailty, which may make juice cleanses inadvisable. No conflicts of interest were declared.
