Welsh Cryptosporidium outbreak sickens 74

More than 70 people have fallen sick in a Cryptosporidium outbreak linked to a petting farm in Wales.

In its latest update, Public Health Wales (PHW) reported that 74 people were now affected, up from 47. The third meeting of the multi-agency outbreak control team was held this past week.

The ongoing outbreak of Cryptosporidium is linked to visiting Cowbridge Farm Shop, Marlborough Grange Farm, Cross Ways.

It has resulted in 16 people needing to stay in the hospital for at least one night. Because of the incubation period of the infection, public health officials expect the number of sick people may continue to increase in the coming week.

The farm has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities and is cooperating with the investigation.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness. It is often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs.

Protection measures
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.

“It is possible for this infection to be passed on from one person to another, for example if someone is caring for a family member who is unwell.  It is important to protect yourself by washing your hands well, particularly before preparing food.”

The main symptoms of infection include watery diarrhea, stomach pains or cramps, nausea or vomiting, mild fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after contact with the parasite and can last for up to two weeks.

To reduce the risk of infection, people visiting farms are reminded to avoid holding, cuddling or kissing animals, do not eat or drink while touching animals or walking around the farm and remove and clean footwear after leaving the farm. Visitors should always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals and supervise children to ensure proper handwashing.

According to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), April to June is traditionally the busiest time for Cryptosporidiosis investigations and is related to the frequency of open farm visits by families or school groups around Easter and bank holidays.

Contact with young lambs through bottle-feeding or handling is a high-risk activity for the spread of Cryptosporidium. APHA said the availability of appropriate and suitably located handwashing facilities including soap, rather than antimicrobial gel, which is not effective for this parasite, is important.

The most frequently identified deficiencies at animal contact attractions include poor handwashing facilities; suboptimal supervision of animal contact; contamination of walkways with soiled animal bedding or feces; and unclear marking of animal contact versus non-contact areas.

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