It is understood that at least 2 people have been treated at St Mary’s Hospital after falling ill following a visit to Hazelgrove Farm in Ryde, which has this week suspended its popular hands-on farm tours.
Officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South East have confirmed that they are aware of a sudden outbreak of illness.
It is understood that some of those affected are children.
Reported symptoms have included diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever with those struck down by the illness reporting that they have visited the farm off Ashey Road – known for offering lamb feeding and tours.
The 2 people treated at hospital have now been discharged.
Dr Kitty Mohan, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South East, has said:
“Specialists from UKHSA South East are providing public health advice and working with Isle of Wight Council and Hazelgrove Farm following reports of a number of people feeling unwell.
“Our advice to anyone affected is to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and stay away from work, clubs, swimming pools and other water and social activities until you have been symptom free for 48 hours to prevent any spread.
“If symptoms continue, please contact your GP and where possible provide a stool sample for testing.”
If you have been affected in any way you should contact the Environmental Health team at the Isle of Wight Council on 01983 823000.
The farm, which is a popular destination for families, has been approached by Island Echo for comment but no response has yet been received.
Possible lack of hand hygiene after handling pets possibly???
It is possible that is possible. Possibly.
Signs an washing facility’s there
HOSPITALISED BIT DRAMATIC
YOU MEAN WENT TO HOSPITAL WITH THE SH#T’S BECAUSE PARENTS CAN’T TEACH BASIC HYGIENE TO THERE KIDS.
Can’t blame farm, use hand gel,wash etc and don’t put fingers in mouth. All animals /wild/domestic and humans can spread – certainly shouldn’t go hospital as can spread there.
Totally agree. We went there with our two children, had a really great time, washed our hand when we left and used antibacterial gel and none of us got ill. This will ruin their business when everyone know how much farmers are struggling and having to diversify and it’s the fault of a few people who ignore signs and have no hygiene. Trouble is, as soon as it’s in the media mindless morons will read the headline and not think for themselves!
Now we can see why hospitals cannot cope. It’s only the trots.
Poor business – blamed and named before any proof. Lots of DV on the island at the moment , especially in school kids. They were just together – that’s about all there is to see here !!!!
Fancy taking your children to a farm where disease is rife in farmed animals.Thats why they are permanently on antibotics. You would be too if you werr walking around in your own excrement. Why teach your children that its ok to eat baby creatures?
Because they taste so good
Because it’s important for everyone to understand where their food comes from. Also children who grow up on farms tend to be the healthiest.
I’m going to correct you right there, it is not that we are healthiest it is that we are active and fit, not always healthy. We get ill sometimes, bad stomach n all but we eat our lunch having slaved in the field we dont worry about cleanliness when our hands covered in excrement lol I stopped farming for a while, every farm I went to work on they all had there cows in for longer than 5 months in the year… imagine living in a often very crowded box with other cowes literally showering on each other, the manure is dry on their fur… tell me is that okay? Compassion for mental heath shone a light for yall and you just threw it back… he got it spot on and idc what yall think, you ain’t farmers you dont know like we clearly do.
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Before you comment you should think that is a clean farm and there teaching children about animals there are probably more germs on your mobile phone and toilet seat . People like you are haven’t got a clue idiot
“People like you dont have a clue” so have you never worked on a dairy farm? You know how common it is for the mother to just drop the calf and leave it? It knows it wont have it for long so it literally abandons it. Antibiotics have to be used because its not getting cared for so before you go and get a cup of tea know what suffering happens on a farm and you might just move to eat milk. I’m a farmer and you are not…. it’s not ok to keep an animal against its will, any living being if you want meat go get a rabbit because at least your words now would be worth something…. townys ugghh
Because we have incisors
For goodness sake ,kids get bugs , where is the proof that it came from there? Give them a break ,let’s wait and see
We went there on Sunday and you cannot blame the farm or the business, it was extremely clean (as clean as a farm can be!) there were plenty of antibac and washing facilities, but plenty of people didn’t wash their hands after. I do hope this does not stop what they are doing, it was a lovely experience and the girls running it were lovely.
Loads of people been there in last few weeks .how come only 2 got ill .very strange !! Probably after freebies. Know the family .beware
Poor hygiene from the parents not the farm. I bet they didn’t use the facilities for themselves and their children at the visit. Probably poor hygiene at home too. I agree that it’s driven by the “compo” society that we sadly live in now.
You go in most open public toilets the kids come have a pee and walk straight out don’t wash there hands so blame the parents for lack of hygiene not the poor farm
Just a vomiting bug. Sit it out and it passes. Not wise going to a hospital and risk spreading a highly contagious virus among people with serious health issues.
could it be that people visiting the farm had already got the bug and passed it on due to poor cleanliness Bet those making the complaints wont show up and apolagise if it is not the farmers fault young kids cant keep there hands of and feet out off anything very likely when told the they would just leave without using the facilities.The Farmers are lovely people who let these visitors on the farm out off kindness i hope these people realise what this as done to the farmer I for one will shop at that farm again Good Luck