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.
74 people fall sick and 16 hospitalised after outbreak at Welsh farm
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.
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