Latest news with #SuMably
Metro
09-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
More than 70 people now infected with parasite after visiting petting zoo
The number of people sick with livestock parasites after visiting a petting zoo in Wales is now at least 74. Eight-year-old Alba Dobbinson is among the dozens of people infected with cryptosporidium linked to calf and lamb feeding sessions at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. Officials said 16 of them were ill enough to require treatment in hospital for at least one night. The number is expected to rise over the coming days because the parasite typically incubates for some time before infecting its host. Cryptosporidium symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea, mild fever, and loss of appetite and weight loss. Public Health Wales said the farm shop had ended calf and lamb feeding and petting sessions and were 'cooperating with our investigations'. 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. It is also found in lakes, streams and rivers – and sometimes in swimming pools. You can catch it directly by touching faeces and not washing your hands. Occasionally you can be infected by eating and drinking contaminated food, particularly unpasteurised milk, under cook meat and offal. The most common symptoms are watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pains, and fever which may only last a couple of days, but which can continue for up to three or four weeks. 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. It can become very serious if anyone with a weakened immune system becomes infected. There is no specific treatment, and those with a healthy immune system will recover within one month. More Trending But drinking plenty of water and using painkillers can help ease symptoms and speed up recovery. Doctors may even recommend re-hydration solutions. Su Mably, consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales, said: 'We are working closely with partners to investigate these cases and to understand if there is a wider risk to the public. 'We would advise anyone who has visited the farm, particularly those who attended feeding or petting sessions, and who is now experiencing symptoms to contact their GP.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent recall for bread, cookies and croutons in US over 'life-threatening' risk MORE: 'People will die before they get compensation from the Infected Blood Scandal' MORE: Leeds United fan, 23, in coma after falling from tree during club's promotion parade
ITV News
08-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Number of Cryptosporidium cases linked to Cowbridge Farm Shop rises with some put in hospital
The number of confirmed Cryptosporidium cases linked to a Cowbridge farm shop has now reached 74 with some needing hospital treatment, Public Health Wales (PHW) has said. The outbreak has resulted in 16 people having to stay in hospital for at least one night after being linked with visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm, in the Vale of Glamorgan. Cryptosporidium is a parasite which can cause gastrointestinal illness and is often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals like calves and lambs. A PHW spokesperson said: "Due to the incubation period of the infection, it is expected that this number may continue to increase in the coming week. "The farm has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities and is cooperating with the investigation." The update on confirmed cases comes after a multi-agency outbreak control team held its third meeting on Thursday, 8 May. Su Mably, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: "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. It is important to protect yourself by washing your hands well, particularly before preparing food." The main symptoms of Cryptosporidium infection include: Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after contact with the parasite and can last for up to two weeks. PHW advice on reducing the risk of infection if visiting farms includes: avoiding close contact with animals, including holding, cuddling or kissing animals. washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals, boots or clothing, and before eating or drinking, as alcohol-based hand gels are not sufficient. Do not eat or drink while touching animals or walking around the farm. Remove and clean footwear and wash hands after leaving the farm. Pregnant women should take particular care and avoid contact with newborn lambs during lambing season. Those who have been unwell with the symptoms following a visit to a farm are advised to take extra care not to spread the infection, and avoid swimming for two weeks after symptoms have ceased. Anyone who has symptoms and has visited Cowbridge Farm Shop – especially those who took part in the calf or lamb feeding sessions – should contact their GP or call NHS 111 and let them know they have visited the site.
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Visitors infected at Cowbridge farm petting session rises
THE number of people thought to have contracted a parasitic infection from calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in the Vale of Glamorgan has increased to nearly 50, with more cases expected to be confirmed. Public Health Wales announced an investigation into Cowbridge Farm Shop on Wednesday, after 28 people fell ill. The health body said in an update on Friday that number had increased to 47. Cowbridge Farm Shop has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding and is co-operating with the investigation, Public Health Wales said. 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. Symptoms, which include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains and nausea, usually start two to 10 days after contact and can last for up to two weeks. The infection's incubation period means Public Health Wales expects the number of cases to increase from 47 in the coming weeks. Su Mably, Public Health Wales consultant in health protection 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.' Public Health Wales said on Wednesday 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'.
North Wales Live
03-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Number of visitors infected at Welsh farm petting session rises to 47
The number of people thought to have contracted a parasitic infection from calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in south Wales has increased to nearly 50, with more cases expected to be confirmed. Public Health Wales announced an investigation into Cowbridge Farm Shop in the Vale of Glamorgan on Wednesday, after 28 people fell ill. The health body said in an update on Friday that number had increased to 47. Cowbridge Farm Shop has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding and is co-operating with the investigation, Public Health Wales said. 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. Symptoms, which include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains and nausea, usually start two to 10 days after contact and can last for up to two weeks. The infection's incubation period means Public Health Wales expects the number of cases to increase from 47 in the coming weeks. Su Mably, Public Health Wales consultant in health protection 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.' Public Health Wales said on Wednesday 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'.
South Wales Argus
02-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Rise in cryptosporidium cases linked to Cowbridge 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. People that have fallen sick with the illness likely contracted it whilst bottle feeding lambs at the farm. Symptoms typically include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, which can last for several days to weeks. Public Health Wales have now confirmed more cases have been liked to the farm with figures expected to rise. Public Health Wales said: 'A second meeting of the multi-agency Outbreak Control Team was held today (2 May) to assess the ongoing outbreak of Cryptosporidium linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop, Marlborough Grange Farm, Cross Ways, Cowbridge CF71 7LJ. 'The number of confirmed cases has now reached 47. Due to the incubation period of the infection, we expect that this number may increase in the coming weeks. 'The Outbreak Control Team continues to work closely with the premises to investigate this outbreak. The farm has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities and is cooperating with the investigation.' 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.' Cowbridge Farm Shop refused to comment at this time.
