Cryptosporidium outbreak in Wales: over 70 people affected

In its latest update, Public Health Wales (PHW) said that 74 people have fallen sick with Cryptosporidium after visiting a petting farm in Cowbridge. The number is up from 47 reported previously by the multi-agency control team created to monitor the outbreak. So far, 16 people needed to stay in hospital for at least one night. Due to the infection incubation period, PHW expects further cases in the coming weeks. The involved farm has stopped all public interactions with its animals and is cooperating with the investigation. Su Mably, consultant in health protection for PHW, said that Cryptosporidium – a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness – can cause more severe symptoms in children and immunocompromised people. The infection can also pass from one person to another, for example, when someone is taking care of an ill family member. To reduce the risk, people should regularly wash their hands well, especially before preparing food. They should also avoid close contact with farm animals because they can transmit the infection to humans. If touching these animals, they should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, ensuring that children do the same.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said that spring is traditionally the time with most Cryptosporidium infections due to families or schools visiting farms around Easter and bank holidays. Activities like petting or feeding lambs and calves are particularly risky because the parasite is resistant to antimicrobial gel, and not all farms have appropriate and suitably located handwashing facilities. Moreover, animal contact is not always properly supervised, and walkways are often soiled with animal faeces, which contain the parasite.