Latest news with #parasiticInfection
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cryptosporidium: Infections from Cowbridge petting farm reach 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 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 previously said the infection led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night, including a four-year-old 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. 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 for up to two warned infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two 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 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 hand gels do not provide sufficient women are also being advised to steer clear of new-born lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. 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 such as 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 month.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
British graduate, 23, hospitalised in Fiji after being infected with a parasite swimming in waterfall in Fiji during volunteering trip
A British graduate was left seriously ill and hospitalised with a parasitic infection after taking a dip in a picturesque Fijian waterfall during a once-in-a-lifetime volunteering trip. Isabelle Lythgow, 23, had travelled to the remote village of Nairukuruku in Fiji as part of a six-week placement – but her tropical adventure soon turned into a nightmare when she fell violently ill just hours after swimming with locals. The Salford University graduate, who now works as a mental health nurse, said she began experiencing dizziness, lower back pain and tingling limbs after attending a village bonfire that evening. Isabelle – who suffers from a severe phobia of vomiting – was then sick every 30 minutes throughout the night, with the symptoms lasting for over 12 hours. When she finally made it to hospital by taxi, medics immediately hooked her up to an IV drip and told her she should have come in much earlier. Doctors later confirmed she had most likely picked up a waterborne parasite – a common infection among tourists and volunteers in the area. Despite the 'traumatic' ordeal in August 2023 and struggling for months to regain the weight she lost, Isabelle says it hasn't put her off travelling to unusual destinations. Isabelle, from Bury, Greater Manchester, said: 'I'm absolutely terrified of being sick, I have emetophobia. It was my biggest fear before going. 'I warned everyone that if it happens, it won't be an easy thing for me, it will be traumatic. That night we went to a bonfire and I felt a little bit off but I didn't think much of it. 'I went to bed, woke up in the middle of the night feeling really sick and then from then on it was every 30 minutes. 'If I wasn't lying flat on my back it would be longer but if I was standing up it was on the dot, every 30 minutes for maybe 12 hours. 'I couldn't even keep water down, I had to take the tiniest sips of water. 'It was really bad, we were in the middle of nowhere so it's quite difficult to get a taxi to the hospital. I was really dizzy I would get really tingly limbs 'I ended up getting a taxi and had to stop the car twice to be sick. I got to the hospital and I got seen straight away and was put on an IV. 'The doctor asked me why I didn't come sooner but I wanted to enjoy my trip.. The doctor said they see this quite a lot with people from other countries and volunteers. 'I was panicking because it was really traumatic. I purposely avoided the water, I used a water bottle and brushed my teeth with bottled water so I was really careful.' When she finally made it to hospital by taxi, medics immediately hooked her up to an IV drip and told her she should have come in much earlier Isabelle said she was discharged after four hours of IV and was told to only drink bottled water. The volunteer said her stomach had shrunk and it took a while for her to gain back the weight and muscle she had lost, while she was 'anxious' for the remaining days of her trip. Despite being hospitalised, Isabelle said she would do it all over again and advises other travellers to not be scared to try new experiences. Isabelle said: 'My stomach had shrunk and it took a long time for me to get my muscles back, I lost so much weight. 'I was really panicked and anxious for the next couple of days but I got through it anyway. 'I'm not scared, I absolutely love waterfalls, I don't think it will ever stop me from having these experiences. 'But you genuinely can't put a price on life experiences and travel. I would never say don't do something out of fear of getting poorly, you can get poorly anytime. 'Life is too short and if you're worrying about that you would never experience new things. I would do it over again a million times.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cryptosporidium: Infections from Cowbridge petting farm reach 81
The number of people who had contracted a parasitic infection after attending calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in south Wales has risen to 81. Seven new cases of cryptosporidium have been confirmed since last week, all linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during March and Health Wales (PHW) said the infection has 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, has voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on 29 April and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, PHW said. Officials from Public Health Wales and other agencies met on Wednesday for the fourth time since the outbreak began to co-ordinate the urged the public to take hygiene precautions when visiting 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." 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 warned infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two weeks. 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 hand gels do not provide sufficient women are also being advised to steer clear of new born lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. 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
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.
Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Boy, 4, hospitalised after contracting parasite at petting farm
A four-year-old boy was hospitalised for three days after visiting a petting farm in Wales as public health authorities investigated 74 cases of parasitic infections linked to the site. Gareth Carpenter and Kate Wiejak, from Bridgend, said their son Michael started to feel unwell after he visited Cowbridge Farm Shop, at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan on April 11. The family was on holiday in Malaga, Spain, three days after going to the farm, when Michael started getting symptoms of a cryptosporidium infection. He experienced a raised temperature and diarrhoea. Wiejak told the BBC that the boy's grandmother blamed herself for taking him to the farm, but said she wished more information had been given about the potential risks to people attending
