Dozens ill after farm shop petting sessions

There are 28 cases associated with lamb and calf petting sessions at Cowbridge Farm Shop

An investigation has been launched after 28 people who attended calf and lamb feeding and petting sessions at a farm contracted a parasite infection.

Public health bodies are looking into cases of cryptosporidium infection in people who visited Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often linked to contact with animals, particularly young farm animals.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said the shop had voluntarily stopped the feeding and petting sessions and was cooperating with the investigation.

It is investigating along with Cardiff and Vale health board and Vale of Glamorgan council.

In a since-deleted Facebook post, the farm team said they had closed the feeding experiences "due to unforeseen circumstances" and apologised to people who had booked, adding a full refund could be obtained.

Vici Dobbinson, of Barry, said her eight-year-old daughter was suffering vomiting and diarrhea after a visit.

"It's not like a 48-hour bug, it can potentially go on for up to a month," she said.

"She can't even go to school, spend time with her friends or enjoy the weather."

Mrs Dobbinson visited the farm shop with her husband and Alba on 17 April to feed the lambs. But six days later, Alba fell ill.

"We were stunned because we had only been around other families and couldn't pin point where Alba had caught it," she said.

"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 [visiting a farm] comes with risks but if we had been told there were cases potentially linked to this farm then we would've decided not to go.

"To knowingly not be told, when they knew there were cases, is just frustrating."

Eight-year-old Alba visited the farm shop with her mother and father at Easter

Su Mably, PHW consultant in health protection, 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."

The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains or cramps, nausea or vomiting, mild fever, and loss of appetite and weight loss.

"Symptoms typically begin between two and 10 days after contact with the parasite and can last for up to two weeks," added Ms Mably.

"Young children and people with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the infection."

PHW also urged people to follow good hygiene practices when visiting farms, including washing hands after touching animals, not eating or drinking on the site, removing and leaving footwear after leaving, and supervising young children closely.

Councillor Ruba Sivagnanam, Vale of Glamorgan council's cabinet member for community engagement, equalities and regulatory services, said the authority was aware of the infection cases and was "working with the business to prevent any further cases of ill health".