Latest news with #PHW
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vape ban 'helps stop children getting addicted'
The upcoming disposable vape ban will help "prevent a new generation of nicotine-addicted young people", Wales' leading public health body has said. Public Health Wales (PHW) said it was important to learn from the experience with tobacco and "work as hard as possible to prevent the use and uptake of vapes by children and young people". Single-use disposable vapes will be banned across the UK from 1 June as part of efforts to protect children's health and prevent environmental damage. The UK Vaping Industry Association has been approached for comment, but previously said a ban would increase illegal sales. Disposable vape ban in Wales to start in 2025 Why are disposable vapes being banned and how harmful is vaping? PHW said disposable vapes were "cheap, easy to use and widely available" and appealed to children. It added that most contained nicotine, which affected concentration, memory and the ability to learn when consumed regularly. Mary-Ann McKibben, consultant in public health at PHW, said: "While vaping is safer than smoking for adults, it is not risk–free and we do not yet have a comprehensive understanding of the long-term health effects." She called the ban an "important step" towards preventing a generation of young people addicted to nicotine. Data in Wales shows that 7% of people aged 11 to 16 use vapes weekly, up from 5.4% in 2021. For 15 and 16-year-olds it is 15.9%, up from 13.6%. Keep Wales Tidy estimates that 360,000 single use vapes are dropped on the floor each year, while 120,000 are flushed down the toilet. People at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Neath Port Talbot were largely supportive of the ban. Anna Sitori, 18, from Swansea, said vaping was a "real issue" that she often sees at school and parties and this would "really help crack down" on it. Steffan Thomas, 19, from Swansea, believes many of his friends who vape would stop due to the ban, but felt some could resort to smoking tobacco. In Swansea, Kyle Evans, from Aberdare, Rhonda Cynon Taf, described the ban as "ridiculous" as it was a helpful way to quit smoking. He added: "People need to put them away properly, dispose of them properly and there shouldn't be a ban." Crimestoppers said it was stepping up its efforts to combat the illegal sale of vapes in the wake of the ban because "unscrupulous vendors will continue to sell these products illegally". "These products pose serious health risks – they are unregulated, untested, and may contain dangerously high levels of nicotine and harmful substances such as lead and nickel," it said. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme when the ban was announced, John Dunne, director general of UKVIA, said authorities already struggled to tackle the black market, even without a ban. He said the association wanted the UK government to instead introduce a licensing scheme for retailers and distributors.
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.
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.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
81 people unwell and 16 hospitalised after parasitic infection outbreak at Welsh attraction
81 people unwell and 16 hospitalised after parasitic infection outbreak at Welsh attraction One father said he had 'never seen his son that ill before' Michael had to spend three days at a hospital after getting infected (Image: Gareth Carpenter ) There has been a further increase in the number of people who have fallen ill following a parasitic infection outbreak at a Welsh farm. Public Health Wales (PHW) have now confirmed that its ongoing investigation into a cryptosporidium outbreak at Cowbridge Farm Shop has seen 81 people who have fallen ill. It has also been revealed that the outbreak has resulted in 16 people having to stay in hospital for at least one night. PHW warned that these numbers may continue to rise in the coming week due to the incubation period of the infection. Of these 81 people is four-year-old Michael, who suffered from stomach cramps and watery diarrhoea after he went to the farm with his grandmother. Gareth Carpenter, 46, said his son Michael suddenly fell ill days after visiting on Friday, April 11. Tests later revealed he had been infected with cryptosporidium, which lives in the intestines of infected animals and humans. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here Gareth, said: '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." A spokesperson for Public Health Wales said: "We want to remind those visiting open farms to follow good hygiene practices. Article continues below "Seven new cases of cryptosporidium have been identified in association with visits to a Cowbridge farm in March and April 2025. Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan is under investigation (Image: Streetview ) "The fourth meeting of the multi-agency Outbreak Control Team was held today (14 May) to respond to an outbreak of Cryptosporidium linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop, Marlborough Grange Farm, Cross Ways, Cowbridge CF71 7LJ. "The outbreak has resulted in 81 confirmed cases of Cryptosporidium and 16 people having to stay in hospital for at least one night. "The farm voluntarily stopped all public animal feeding activities on 29 April and has continued to support the investigation, we are grateful to the business for their ongoing cooperation. "Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs." 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. Beverley Griggs, Consultant in Health Protection for 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 young children and people with weakened immune systems. '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. 'It is also important to be aware that this infection can be passed from person to person, if you begin to experience these symptoms after contact with someone has experienced them after visiting the farm, you should also contact your GP or NHS 111 Wales. Good hand hygiene at home, especially before eating or preparing food, is essential in helping to stop the spread.' The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains or cramps, nausea or vomiting, mild fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. Article continues below Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after exposure and can last for up to two weeks. Anyone who has symptoms and has visited the Cowbridge Farm Shop – especially those who took part in the calf or lamb feeding sessions – are being urged to contact their GP or to call NHS 111 Wales and let them know that you have visited the site.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'My daughter, 8, had diarrhoea after parasite outbreak at UK tourist attraction'
Public health officials are examining cases of cryptosporidium linked to contact with animals at a Welsh farm's calf and lamb feeding sessions - with 16 people hospitalised so far An eight-year-old girl was among 74 people who fell ill after an outbreak linked to an animal "petting session" at a farm park. Public health officials are investigating cases of cryptosporidium, believed to be contracted during calf and lamb feeding sessions at the Welsh farm. The affected individuals had visited Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, before subsequently falling ill. Public Health Wales (PHW) has reported that so far, 16 people have been hospitalised for at least one night, with this number expected to rise due to the infection's incubation period. Alba Dobbinson, eight, is the youngest among the confirmed cases who fell ill with an intestinal parasite following a visit to the family-friendly farm. Her mother, Vici Dobbinson, revealed that Alba experienced vomiting and diarrhoea after their visit to feed the lambs. Vici stated: "It's not like a 48-hour bug, it can potentially go on for up to a month." The primary symptoms of a cryptosporidium infection include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains or cramps, nausea or vomiting, mild fever, and loss of appetite and weight loss. Alba, along with her parents, visited the farm shop on April 17 to feed the lambs. However, six days later, she fell ill. "We were stunned because we had only been around other families and couldn't pinpoint where Alba had caught it," Vici said. She added, "Then I saw on Facebook that the farm shop was changing the process and you were no longer allowed to go in with the lambs. It's annoying. I appreciate it comes with risks but if Visitors to a local farm were left in the dark about potential cryptosporidium cases linked to the establishment, leading to frustration among those who would have refrained from attending had they been informed. "To knowingly not be told, when they knew there were cases, is just frustrating." Public Health Wales has confirmed that Cowbridge Farm Shop has voluntarily suspended its activities and is collaborating fully with ongoing investigations. The farm relayed through a Facebook statement that the animal feeding sessions were cancelled "due to unforeseen circumstances", without detailing the health concerns. PHW consultant in health protection, Su Mably, commented on its continued efforts alongside Cardiff and Vale health board and Vale of Glamorgan council. "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," she cautioned, advising that affected visitors reach out to their GPs or NHS 111. Mably also warned of the possibility of person-to-person transmission, especially when caring for sick family members, underscoring the importance of meticulous handwashing, particularly before food preparation. Public Health Wales urged farm-goers to keep their distance from animals and to always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water as preventative measures and to seek medical advice if symptoms arise. The typical signs of cryptosporidium include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea, fever, and potentially appetite loss and weight loss, usually commencing within two to ten days after exposure. Symptoms can manifest as soon as 10 days post-exposure and may persist for a fortnight. Cryptosporidium is an infection caused by parasites residing in the faeces of infected animals, which can lead to sickness in humans. The symptoms often encompass diarrhoea, abdominal pain or cramps, and nausea or vomiting.
