The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that cryptosporidium is the reason why so many people have fallen ill after visiting Hazelgrove Farm near Ryde.
As previously reported by Island Echo, UKHSA South East is working with the Isle of Wight Council as a result of a number of people becoming unwell after visiting the farm off Ashey Road. It follows a series of hands-on feeding events where locals have been able to get up close and personal with animals, feeding baby lambs and goats – but these tours have now been suspended.
Cryptosporidium parasites can be found in soil, water, food or on any surface that has been contaminated with human or animal faeces. It is spread through animal-to-human or human-to-human contact. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farms.
Symptoms of cryptosporidium infection include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever. These symptoms generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in young children aged between 1 and 5 years.
Most healthy people will recover fully without any treatment within 1 month, but it is known that several people have been hospitalised in recent weeks.
The total number of cases linked to Hazelgrove is unknown as the UKHSA says it is a situation that is changing ‘all of the time’. It is said that work is ongoing and the farm is fully cooperating.
Dr Anand Fernandes, 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. Some of those affected have described symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, which has since been confirmed as caused by cryptosporidium.
“Cryptosporidium parasites can be found in soil, water, food or on any surface that has been contaminated with human or animal faeces.
“Our advice to anyone affected is to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and stay away from work, clubs and other and social activities until you have been symptom free for 48 hours to prevent any spread. Swimming and water-based activities should be avoided for 14 days from the end of symptoms. If symptoms continue beyond a couple of weeks, please contact your GP and if advised, please provide a stool sample for testing.”
How do you treat cryptosporidiosis?
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis. Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within 1 month.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration and you can lose important sugars and minerals from your body. Your doctor may recommend a re-hydration solution, available from your pharmacist. If you feel sick, try taking small sips of fluid, frequently.
Avoid alcohol
A simple painkiller can help with abdominal cramps. Talk to your GP or pharmacist who can advise you on the most appropriate painkiller for you.
Do I need to stay off work or school?
Yes. While you are ill and have symptoms you are infectious. You should not return to work or school until you have been free from diarrhoea and/or vomiting for 48 hours.
You should tell your employer you have had cryptosporidiosis if you work with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, those in poor health, or if you handle food.
Anyone suffering with a diarrhoeal illness should not swim for 2 weeks after their symptoms have stopped and, as always, it is important to shower immediately before entering and after leaving the swimming pool.
What to do when visiting a farm
Following the simple rules listed below will help to keep you and your children safe from infections that may be found on open farms. Pregnant women need to take particular care as infections acquired from animals can be harmful to them and their unborn baby.
- Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas.
- Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking.
- Do remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled and clean pushchair wheels. Then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Do supervise children closely to ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly.
- Do eat and drink in picnic areas or cafes only.
- Do not put hands on faces or fingers in mouths while petting animals or walking round the farm.
- Do not kiss farm animals or allow children to put their faces close to animals.
- Do not eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm. This includes not eating sweets, crisps or chewing gum.
- Do not eat anything that has fallen on the floor.
- Do not use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water. Gels and wipes do not remove or kill all bugs in dirt.
- If you are planning a school or group visit to a farm, you also need to make sure that you’ve considered all the risks and taken steps to manage them. Guidance is available to help schools and teachers do this.
If you have been affected in any way you should contact the Environmental Health team at the Isle of Wight Council on 01983 823000.
OMG no more meat for me from there. Awful experience for the children.
I think it’s more from live animals than from meat.
Hopefully all the people saying it didn’t come from that farm will now pop back to the chat and apologise
Hands were washed thoroughly but kids still got it, there was only cold water and old towels to dry your hands on not sure why paper towels were not provided as would be more hygienic so the towels were given a miss! Hospital said more getting it because you shouldn’t really be sat in the hay with them you should sit on a bench then less contact on clothes. My grandson very ill with it and not eaten for a week now has lost lots of weight .
My son now an adult picked it up from a friend who had come back from Egypt… And was carrying it he was only 5 he lost half his bodyweight in 2 weeks, thankfully a Gp at Carisbrooke surgery”back in the day when you could see one”! Recognised the smell straight away as its one you don’t forget. It’s an awful thing hope your grandson gets well soon❤️
I’ve spoken to some people that visited the farm for feeding and told me they hand and feet washing in place. I’m not sure what else they can do.
Exactly what I thought 😉
I stick up for the farm as I’m sure signs were there to wash hands etc after touching or feeding animals.
Hands were washed thoroughly ! Apparently even anti bac gel doesn’t kill it , but there are signs when a lamb has it so maybe in future more attention to that .
uk gets about 5000 cases of this a year – so it isn’t new.
So someone could of gone to the sessions with diarrhoea, and potentially passed it around to everyone? As it isn’t a specific illness that typically comes from baby goats/sheep!?
No, that is not the case unless they were consuming fecal contaminated material and already infected with Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite rather than a virus or bacterium, and transmission requires ingestion of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Your other statement is also wrong because Cryptosporidium is extremely common in lambs and calves.
Although it’s not nice and maybe could have been reduce with some basic hygiene from the farm and parents. It is after all, just what happens when you grow up. I am a firm believer that if you not ended up in hospital as a kid with something broken, needing stiches or some random bug making you puke you’ve not had a full childhood.
I agree. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of endless days of diarrhoea and vomiting. Golden memories.
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite and extremely common in feces from lambs and calves. Good hygiene prevents human infection.
Glad I don’t eat meat.
So am I because it leaves more lovely flesh for me to dine upon.