Latest news with #MichaelCarpenter
The Independent
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Boy in hospital after cryptosporidium outbreak linked to farm shop
A cryptosporidium outbreak linked to Cowbridge Farm Shop in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, has affected 74 people, including 16 who required hospitalization. Four-year-old Michael Carpenter fell ill after visiting the farm and was later diagnosed with cryptosporidium, a parasite causing gastrointestinal illness. Michael's family experienced a stressful ordeal, incurring significant medical expenses while abroad, though covered by insurance. Public Health Wales is investigating the outbreak and the farm has temporarily stopped animal feeding activities. Health officials advise anyone who visited the farm and feels unwell to contact their GP or NHS 111, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to prevent further spread.
The Independent
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Four-year-old boy sent to hospital as 74 ill after petting farm trip
The parents of a four-year-old boy rushed to hospital after suffering an infection linked to a visit to a petting farm have spoken of their 'nightmare' ordeal. Public 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 April. Public Health Wales said the outbreak has resulted in 16 people having to stay in hospital for at least one night. The farm has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities and is cooperating with the investigation, the health watchdog added. One of the children affected was named by family as 4-year-old Michael Carpenter, from Bridgend, who had visited the petting farm with his grandparents on 11 April. The boy followed the rules, washing his hands and using a hand sanitiser after stroking some lambs before flying to Malaga with his family. Three days later, Michael's temperature rose and he suffered severe diarrhoea with the family being advised to take him to a local private hospital for tests. His father Gareth, 46, told the BBC: 'We were driving ourselves crazy. '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?' It cost £719 deposit to get Michael seen - and a £4,229 bill for the three days sent to hospital - luckily covered by the family's insurance. On their return to Wales, and with Michael still recovering from the effects of the parasite, they visited their GP who took a stool sample. Public Health Wales called Michael's father the next day to say the test had shown Michael was infected with cryptosporidium and asked if the boy had been around any animals. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs. The boy's mother, Kate, said: 'It was an absolute nightmare.' She said the boy's grandmother 'blames herself' for taking Michael to the petting farm, but '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.' Public Health experts are warning those who have come into contact with infected cases to take extra care to avoid passing the infection onto others. 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.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia has 'dramatically' upped its military production but is using it all within weeks, former Biden official says
Russia "is a lot weaker than many people realize," Michael Carpenter, a former Biden official, said. Russia has burned through much of its Soviet-era stockpiles and is increasingly reliant on new munitions. Russian weapons are going straight to the front to be used within weeks, Carpenter said. Russia "is a lot weaker than many people realize," Michael Carpenter, who served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia and Ukraine at the Pentagon between 2015 and 2017, told the Power Vertical podcast earlier this month. As an example, Carpenter said that much of Russia's amped-up military production is going straight to the front lines of its war in Ukraine. "Although it has dramatically ramped up its military production, it is essentially using all of that production within weeks of it rolling out on the factory floor," he said. Russia has gone through its vast Soviet-era stockpiles of equipment at a staggering rate since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In February, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that Russia had lost 14,000 main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers since the start of the full-scale invasion. Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, predicted in January that "2025 will be the last year Russia can rely on its massive stockpiles of Soviet-era conventional arms, including artillery, main battle tanks and armored vehicles." If Russia's losses continue as they have done, he estimated that by mid-year, Russia will be reliant on newly manufactured arms. Russia is increasingly leaning on its allies like Iran and North Korea to cover any ammunition shortfalls. Recently-released analysis by Reuters and the Open Source Centre research group found that up to 100% of munitions used by Russia in some engagements came from North Korea. "There is no excess stockpile that the Russians have that they could use if somehow they were cut off from their Chinese sponsors, or also their Iranian and North Korean supporters," Carpenter said. Meanwhile, Ukraine's own supply issues are well documented, and could get worse as the Trump White House cools on its support. Ukraine says its homegrown production of military drones — vital on the front lines of this conflict — is now the biggest in the world. There's also been a historic boost to European defense funding through the ReArm Europe initiative, announced in early March, which aims to unlock about $840 billion in defense funding for both the continent and Ukraine. However, there is no sign that Russia's military production — or fighting — efforts are grinding down. In April, US Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia is on track to build a 155mm shell stockpile "three times greater than the United States and Europe combined." Moscow is also on track to replace most of its vital equipment lost in 2024, he added. In a following Power Vertical episode, military analyst Michael Kofman said that after a winter lull, Russia "has renewed offensive intensity," with combined mechanized assaults that he described as a "Mad Max approach." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Russia has 'dramatically' upped its military production but is using it all within weeks, former Biden official says
Russia "is a lot weaker than many people realize," Michael Carpenter, a former Biden official, said. Russia has burned through much of its Soviet-era stockpiles and is increasingly reliant on new munitions. Russian weapons are going straight to the front to be used within weeks, Carpenter said. Russia "is a lot weaker than many people realize," Michael Carpenter, who served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia and Ukraine at the Pentagon between 2015 and 2017, told the Power Vertical podcast earlier this month. As an example, Carpenter said that much of Russia's amped-up military production is going straight to the front lines of its war in Ukraine. "Although it has dramatically ramped up its military production, it is essentially using all of that production within weeks of it rolling out on the factory floor," he said. Russia has gone through its vast Soviet-era stockpiles of equipment at a staggering rate since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In February, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that Russia had lost 14,000 main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers since the start of the full-scale invasion. Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, predicted in January that "2025 will be the last year Russia can rely on its massive stockpiles of Soviet-era conventional arms, including artillery, main battle tanks and armored vehicles." If Russia's losses continue as they have done, he estimated that by mid-year, Russia will be reliant on newly manufactured arms. Reliance on others Russia is increasingly leaning on its allies like Iran and North Korea to cover any ammunition shortfalls. Recently-released analysis by Reuters and the Open Source Centre research group found that up to 100% of munitions used by Russia in some engagements came from North Korea. "There is no excess stockpile that the Russians have that they could use if somehow they were cut off from their Chinese sponsors, or also their Iranian and North Korean supporters," Carpenter said. Meanwhile, Ukraine's own supply issues are well documented, and could get worse as the Trump White House cools on its support. Ukraine says its homegrown production of military drones — vital on the front lines of this conflict — is now the biggest in the world. There's also been a historic boost to European defense funding through the ReArm Europe initiative, announced in early March, which aims to unlock about $840 billion in defense funding for both the continent and Ukraine. However, there is no sign that Russia's military production — or fighting — efforts are grinding down. In April, US Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia is on track to build a 155mm shell stockpile "three times greater than the United States and Europe combined." Moscow is also on track to replace most of its vital equipment lost in 2024, he added. In a following Power Vertical episode, military analyst Michael Kofman said that after a winter lull, Russia "has renewed offensive intensity," with combined mechanized assaults that he described as a "Mad Max approach."
