Latest news with #ValeofGlamorgan
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Why you should think twice about hugging lambs this summer
Health officials have issued a warning against kissing, cuddling, or holding lambs due to an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis is a severe parasitic infection that causes serious gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms including watery diarrhoea and stomach pains. Public Health Wales has advised farmers to prevent close contact between visitors and lambs this summer to curb the spread; people should also wash their hands after contact with animals. The alert follows an investigation into 74 cases of cryptosporidium linked to a petting farm in Vale of Glamorgan earlier this year, which led to 16 hospitalisations, including a four-year-old boy. There were also 17 outbreaks of the infection connected to farms across England and Wales in the previous year.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Cryptosporidium warning as people told not to cuddle and kiss lambs
Visitors to farms for lamb feeding events are being warned not to kiss, cuddle and hold the animals after an outbreak of a parasitic infection that causes serious gastrointestinal Health Wales (PHW) has advised farmers running the events to avoid offering close contact with were 17 outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis linked to farms in England and Wales in 2024, while earlier this year more than 80 people fell ill due to infections linked to a petting farm in Vale of infection led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night, including a four-year-old boy. A report by PHW said people who had closer levels of contact were much more likely to become ill with cryptosporidium than those who did not touch the report from the health body came after a large cryptosporidium outbreak in spring 2024 where more than 200 people became ill, 18 of whom attended hospital. Children under the age of 10 were four times more likely to become unwell, it said. 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 typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and can last up to two advice is one of a range of recommendations made in a report into a large cryptosporidium outbreak among people. Gareth Carpenter and Kate Wiejak's son Michael visited Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, with his grandmother, Margaret Carpenter, on 11 April this couple from Bridgend said Margaret "made sure" Michael washed his hands afterwards, and also used hand by 14 April, while the family were on holiday in Spain, Michael started to feel unwell, with a raised temperature and diarrhoea. He 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 said Michael had a serious infection and he spent three days in hospital. On their return to Wales, Michael still had a "bad belly" and so they took him to see a GP on 22 April, who requested a stool said he received a call from PHW the following day to say the test result had shown Michael was infected with 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 animals. Other recommendations in the report included better provision of handwashing facilities, including basins with hot and cold running water, liquid soap and paper sanitiser or alcohol gel is not effective against cryptosporidium, PHW added there should also be prominent signage advising people to wash their hands regularly while they are on the premises and visitors should ensure clothing is washed as soon as possible after the should be aware of existing guidance when planning open farm events, and provide visitors with information about the infection risks involved when booking events. What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness called cryptosporidiosisIt lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their faecesIt can then spread to water sources like lakes, rivers, and swimming pools, as well as food like raw milkThe illness can affect anyone but is most common in children aged one to fiveSymptoms, which can last for around two weeks, include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and loss of appetiteThere is no specific treatment but most people feel better within a monthSource: UK Health Security Agency Dr Christopher Williams, consultant epidemiologist for PHW said lamb feeding events were increasingly popular, especially with families but could have serious consequences."This report shows that when young children have close contact with animals like lambs - when they cuddle, kiss or nuzzle their faces - then there is a significant risk of contracting the infection, which can cause serious illness and result in hospitalisation," he report recommended lamb or calf feeding was supervised and done with the animals separated from the visitors by their pens, meaning people could still bottle feed the animals but can have greater protection against illness. Dr Williams said it was "vital" any farmers planning to hold any visitor events involving animal activities familiarise themselves with the existing guidance and take all the precautions they can to ensure their visitors had a safe added PHW would also like to see farmers make visitors aware of the risks involved in having close contact with young animals, so people were educated before they attend."I would encourage any farmers who are considering opening their farms for these events to consider all the risks, and plan ahead early to enable them to make all the necessary provisions possible in order to keep their visitors safe from infection."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hughes sets out plans for Carlisle United's Wales training camp
This way to takes the squad for a training camp this week (Image: Ben Holmes) Carlisle United have begun a week-long training camp in south Wales - with Mark Hughes promising plenty of 'detailed' work. The head coach is taking his squad for a week's training ahead of next weekend's friendly at AFC Fylde. Advertisement Hughes believes it will be a bonding trip as well as an opportunity to lay down some of the playing principles he regards as important for the new season. United have typically gone on a training trip in recent pre-seasons, with Scotland often the destination in previous summers. This time Hughes' Welsh homeland is the choice as Carlisle step up their preparations for the 2025/26 National League campaign, with the Vale of Glamorgan understood to be their destination. The United boss, speaking to the club's official channels, said of the trip: 'We're still quite a new group, with a lot of new faces, so it will help a lot of them to integrate. Advertisement Sam Murray on his Blues ambitions and leaving Man Utd 'We'll take that. We've got a lot of detail that we want to put into the players in terms of what we want to do in certain situations. 'We haven't done a great deal of work on that [so far] – it's been more the physical element that we've needed to put into them in the first weeks of [pre-]season. Hughes hopes it proves an important bonding trip as well as an important training schedule (Image: Ben Holmes) 'Very quickly we'll start [putting] more meat on the bone.' As well as stepping up preparations for the August 9 fifth-tier kick-off, the fitness of certain players will continue to be monitored. Advertisement Carlisle United chief on Blues' £1m blow after relegation Certain players have yet to feature in pre-season action, with Carlisle two games into a programme of six friendlies. Hughes, speaking ahead of last week's first friendly at Motherwell, said he would not risk players who are carrying 'niggles' at this stage of the summer. Summer signing Morgan Feeney, with a calf issue, is one such player, while Hughes said striker Georgie Kelly had a muscle problem. On the latter, Hughes said Carlisle were 'probably being over-cautious' given his injury history, and that United could afford to 'ease people in' if they were feeling any discomfort. Advertisement Jordan Jones has also missed the first two friendlies with United yet to give any details on his absence from action, with no update so far also given on Archie Davies' absence from the Newcastle United game on Saturday. Hughes, having given players 45 minutes each at Motherwell and Newcastle, is likely to step that up to an hour in some cases when Carlisle take on National League North side Fylde. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click HERE for details
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tributes pour in for Vale councillor and former mayor who has died
Tributes have poured in for a long-standing Vale of Glamorgan councillor and former mayor who died recently. Labour councillor for the Barry ward of Illtyd, Cllr Howard Hamilton, who passed away last weekend, also served as an elected member of Barry Town Council from 2008. He served as town mayor from 2009-10 and was elected to Vale of Glamorgan Council in 2012, also serving a period as mayor there between 2014-15. The current mayor of Barry, Cllr Dennis Clarke, said: "I am saddened to hear of the passing of Councillor Hamilton, former Mayor of Barry." For more news, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. READ MORE: Live updates as huge fire erupts in Newport READ MORE: Bodies of two babies discovered in binbags after mum hid them in attic and cupboard "I have fond memories of working alongside him at Gibbonsdown Children's Centre. "On behalf of all councillors and staff at Barry Town Council, I send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time." In a joint statement, Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council described Cllr Hamilton as a passionate advocate for disabled members of the community through his work as a disability champion at Vale Council and sitting on the executive committee for Wales Council for the Blind. The statement also said he had a long-standing involvement with the management committee at Barry YMCA, which "reflected his deep commitment to supporting young people and fostering inclusive community spaces". The leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Lis Burnett, said: "Councillor Howard Hamilton was a committed and compassionate leader who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of many across our communities. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his loved ones and all who knew him." Residents also shared their condolences online after Barry Town Council and Vale of Glamorgan posted their statement on Facebook. One resident called Cllr Hamilton a, "great councillor and a lovely person", who will be, "sorely missed". Another said: "Howard was a dedicated councillor and a lovely man." Other roles Cllr Hamilton held on Vale of Glamorgan Council include chair of the trust committee, chair of the discretionary housing payments review committee and vice chair of the early retirement/redundancy committee. Flags outside Barry Town Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council buildings were at half mast on Wednesday, July 9, and arrangements are being made for the flags to also fly at half-mast on the day of Cllr Hamilton's funeral. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wales' tourism tax plans set for go-ahead in Senedd vote
A new law allowing councils to tax people staying overnight in Wales is set to be passed by the Senedd on staying in hotels could have £1.30 per night added to the cost of their stay if the plans go hope the tax will raise as much as £33m a year to support and improve tourist destinations, but businesses worry it might put visitors Welsh Conservatives vowed to scrap the tax if the party wins the next Senedd election. Plaid Cymru support for the legislation means the Welsh government has the numbers it needs to get the law through the the plans, those staying in hostels and campsites would pay 75p per person per night, while people staying in all other accommodation would pay the higher charges are subject to VAT, while children under 18 will be exempt at hostels and campsites. Plans for a tourism levy were promised in Labour's 2021 Senedd election manifesto, and in the party's now-defunct co-operation deal with Plaid were drawn up following growing concerns about the impact of tourism in some Welsh would be up to individual councils to decide whether to levy the charges, which would be introduced in 2027 at the authorities could also decide after a year to increase the charges, in agreement with the Welsh councils have said they have no plans to introduce the levy, including the Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf and council's leader Huw Thomas has said he wants to introduce the policy in the capital, and Anglesey has backed the idea in principle according to Walesonline. Under the legislation, councils have to spend the cash on managing and improving tourist destinations. This could be things such as toilets, promoting the Welsh language, footpaths, beaches and visitor centres, but what the cash ends up funding will ultimately be up to councils to decide. The Welsh government has estimated that the levy could generate £33m a year if all councils took it up. An impact assessment drawn up for the law said the number of visitors could fall as a result of the suggests that, in the most optimistic case, the levy could lead to 100 new jobs overall, but in the worst could see 390 fewer for how much it will benefit or hit the economy range from a boost of £10.8m, to a reduction of £7.3m, when public spending is taken into adding on how much might be spent by the public sector as a result of the levy, estimates range from a £9.1m hit to the economy, to a £26.8m hit. 'Long ceased to be a tourism tax' Among those concerned with the plans have been the Welsh Tourism Alliance, who say that the way the bill has been drafted means councils do not need to focus on tourism when they decide how to spend the Mid Wales Tourism group's Suzy Davies said the levy had "long ceased to be a tourism tax" because it would apply to "staying in visitor accommodation for any reason". The Welsh Conservatives vowed to scrap the plans before they come into force, should they form a government after the next Senedd election. Shadow finance cabinet secretary Sam Rowlands said the plans "will harm the economy to the tune of tens of millions of pounds and hundreds of jobs every single year".Plaid Cymru's Luke Fletcher said the law would allow councils "to start the journey towards a sustainable tourism sector that works both for tourists and businesses alike".Reform UK, which is hoping to win seats in the Senedd for the first time next May, said the tax would "hurt local businesses and cost rural jobs".Plaid Cymru's Luke Fletcher said the law would allow councils "to start the journey towards a sustainable tourism sector that works both for tourists and businesses alike".Accommodation providers will also be required to join a register under the law, which will be voted on by the Senedd on Tuesday Secretary Mark Drakeford said: "We think it is fair visitors contribute towards local facilities, helping to fund infrastructure and services integral to their experience."Visitor levies are common around the world, benefiting local communities, tourists and businesses - and we want the same for Wales."
