Latest news with #MarlboroughGrangeFarm
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Number of Brits ‘horrendously ill' with parasite after visiting petting farm rises to 81, as 16 in hospital
THE number of people who have fallen sick with an animal-borne bug after visiting a petting farm in Wales has risen to 81, officials have confirmed. Sixteen people have been rushed to hospital after visiting Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan - at least one of these is a four-year-old boy. 6 6 All tested positive for cryptosporidium, also called 'crypto' - a highly contagious parasite that causes diarrhoea and spreads easily between humans and animals. Among the youngest who became ill was little Alba Dobbinson. The eight-year-old was hit with nausea and diarrhoea after feeding lambs at the farm with her mum, Vici, on April 17. Photos show the little girl cuddling the animals and close contact with infected livestock is one of the main ways the bug spreads. Vici said: 'We were stunned because we had only been around other families and couldn't pinpoint where Alba had caught it. 'It's not like a 48-hour bug, it can potentially go on for up to a month." She added: "She can't even go to school, spend time with her friends or enjoy the weather.' Meanwhile, Gareth Carpenter said he had never seen his son Michael so unwell after he was hospitalised, suspected of catching the parasite at the farm. "He's had chicken pox, he's had flu, he has had viruses, he had many, many, many things as you can imagine as kids do when they mix in with other children, but I've never, ever seen him that ill before," he told WalesOnline. "We had to put him back in nappies, just literally leaking. It was horrendous, stomach pains and cramps," he added. The farm voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on April 29 as health officials continue to investigate the outbreak. 'We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak and to reduce the risk of further transmission," Beverley Griggs, from Public Health Wales (PHW), said. All cases have been linked to visits to the farm between March and April 2025. Anyone who took part in the lamb or calf feeding sessions during that time is being urged to contact their GP or call NHS 111 Wales and inform them of the visit - not only those with symptoms. The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection according to the NHS include: Watery diarrhoea Stomach pains or cramps Nausea Vomiting Mild fever Loss of appetite Weight loss Dehydration 6 6 6 Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after infection and can last for around two weeks once they appear. Sometimes the illness may seem to improve as symptoms ease, but they can return before full recovery. "Cryptosporidium infection often clears up without treatment but, it can be more serious for young children and people with weakened immune systems," Beverley said. 'It is also important to be aware that this infection can be passed from person to person." Due to the bug's highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours. Touching infected poo and then putting your unwashed hands near your mouth is a common way of catching cryptosporidios. This is because the bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. "Good hand hygiene at home, especially before eating or preparing food, is essential in helping to stop the spread," Beverley added. 6 Previous outbreaks Just last month health chiefs issued a warning to families planning to visit farms this spring, as a rise in temperatures could also see an increase in "harmful" pathogens. Petting zoos in particular can expose visitors to gastrointestinal infections, they said. Last year the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits. In May 2024, more than 100 people were also infected by cryptosporidium in Brixham, Devon. The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply. Whole streets in the town were infected, with victims forced to endure days of diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps, with one sufferer even comparing them to 'childbirth'.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Cryptosporidium outbreak at Cowbridge farm reaches 81 cases
An outbreak of a parasitic infection linked to public animal feeding sessions at a popular farm in South Wales has now affected 81 people, with health officials urging the public to take hygiene precautions when visiting farms. Seven new cases of cryptosporidium have been confirmed since last week, all linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop, Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan, during March and April. The infection has led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night. Officials from Public Health Wales and other agencies met on Wednesday for the fourth time since the outbreak began to co-ordinate the response. The farm stopped all public feeding sessions involving animals, including calves and lambs, on April 29 and continues to co-operate with the investigation. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness and is commonly associated with contact with farm animals. It can spread easily from person to person and poses increased risk to young children and those with weakened immune systems. Beverley Griggs, consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales, said: 'We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak and to reduce the risk of further transmission. 'Cryptosporidium infection often clears up without treatment, but it can be more serious for vulnerable people. 'We advise anyone who visited the farm and is experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach pain or nausea to contact their GP or call NHS 111 Wales.' Symptoms typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and can last up to two weeks. Public Health Wales warned that infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two weeks. Visitors 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 newborn lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. Further updates and guidance are available on the website.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cryptosporidium: Boy, 4, hospitalised after visit to farm in Cowbridge
The parents of a four-year-old boy who became very unwell after a trip to a petting farm have described the "nightmare" of his symptoms developing while on holiday health officials are examining 74 cases of cryptosporidium linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during is a parasite, often linked to contact with young farm animals, that can infect your bowels and cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous Health Wales (PHW) said 16 of those affected by the outbreak had been hospitalised for at least one night. The farm shop, which the BBC has approached for comment, has voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, PHW said. Gareth Carpenter and Kate Wiejak, from Bridgend, said their son Michael visited the farm on 11 April with his grandmother, Margaret Carpenter, while they packed for a family 39, said: "We go every single year, we love lamb petting, it's an amazing attraction for kids."Kate said Margaret "made sure" Michael washed his hands afterwards, and also used hand sanitiser. The following day, the family - including Kate's 16-year-old daughter and both of Michael's grandmothers - flew to Spain, renting a villa in Malaga with another family."We were looking forward to a nice holiday," said Gareth, adding they "wouldn't dream" of getting on the flight if there had been any sign of illness by 14 April, Michael had begun to feel unwell, with a raised temperature and diarrhoea."We put it down to the food, or that he'd had too much sun as we'd been out by the pool for a couple of hours," said Gareth, 46."We thought, give him some sleep and a bit of Calpol and by the morning he'd be right as rain."But Michael continued to be very unwell throughout the night and so, the following morning, they called the emergency medical services who advised them to take Michael to hospital. They said "luckily" there was a private hospital just a five minutes' drive couple paid an €850 (£719) deposit to get Michael seen - €5,000 (£4,229) in total, later claimed back through their insurance - but said staff were "absolutely amazing" despite significant language barriers."We literally saw a doctor within 10 minutes, I was shocked," said said Michael had a serious infection and he spent three days in hospital."It was an absolute nightmare," said said that he believed Michael came "very close to death". On their return to Wales that weekend, which was a bank holiday, Michael still had a "bad belly" and so they took him to see a GP on 22 April, who requested a stool sample."We were driving ourselves crazy," said Gareth. "We were thinking, was it a bit of chicken he ate, or an ice cream his Nana gave him - she was feeling terrible about that - or was it something in the water?"Gareth said he received a call from Public Health Wales the following day to say the test result had shown Michael was infected with cryptosporidium, and they asked him if Michael had been around any Gareth shared the details of the farm visit, he said he was told that there were a number of other cases of the infection linked to the same Kate and Gareth later became unwell with similar, but much milder, symptoms and Gareth said he was still experiencing stomach cramps, more than four weeks after Michael's contact with the they said Michael had now made a full recovery, and no one else in their holiday party had contracted it. Kate said Margaret "blames herself" for taking Michael to the farm, but said she wished "more information" had been given to people attending the petting sessions about the potential risks."It's only when something happens that you realise how serious it is," said Gareth."I would hate to see another parent go through the same thing." What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness called lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their can then spread to water sources like lakes, rivers, and swimming pools, as well as food like raw illness can affect anyone but is most common in children aged one to which can last for around two weeks, include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and loss of is no specific treatment but most people feel better within a UK Health Security Agency Su Mably, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: "We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak. "Although cryptosporidium infection is usually mild and clears up on its own, it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weakened immune systems. "If you visited the farm and feel unwell, please contact your GP or call NHS 111. "It is possible for this infection to be passed on from one person to another, for example if someone is caring for a family member who is unwell. "It is important to protect yourself by washing your hands well, particularly before preparing food."
