Cryptosporidium outbreak in Wales: update

The number of people in Wales infected with cryptosporidium after visiting a farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, has risen to 47. Public Health Wales (PHW) said it expects a further rise in cases in the coming weeks due to the incubation period of the infection. Su Mably, consultant in health protection for PHW, said the disease is usually mild and self-limiting, but it can be severe in young children and immunocompromised individuals. She urged anyone who visited the farm and was feeling ill to seek medical attention.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness. It is often linked to direct contact with farm animals. Its symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and mild fever. The persons infected in Wales had petted and fed calves and lambs when visiting the farm, probably contracting the infection through such activity. Since the start of the outbreak, the farm has suspended interactions between visitors and animals.