A popular family-friendly Midlands farm has said it maybe the source of a ‘highly infectious’ sickness and diarrhoea bug which has led to a number of visitors becoming unwell. Gannow Farm in Inkberrow, near Redditch in Worcestershire, posted on social media that it believed it was the source of a cryptosporidium outbreak – caused by a parasite which is resistant to chlorine.
The countryside venue, which would have seen an influx of visitors over the Easter break, said it had been contacted by visitors to say they had become unwell after a visit. The illness is often seen in children aged one to five and can be caused by contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farm, the UK Health Security Agency said on its website.
Gannow Farm said it contacted Environmental Health inspectors early on Monday, April 8, as it ‘suspected we might be spreading infection’. In a post on its Facebook pages the attraction said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident and posted: “Gannow Farm are very sad to report we have been contacted by several people informing us they have become unwell after visiting the farm.
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“It seems highly likely we are the probable source of a bug called cryptosporidium which has made a number of our visitors ill with sickness and diarrhoea. We are deeply saddened to hear anyone has become unwell since visiting the farm as we have made every precaution possible to prevent this, we hope that anyone who is poorly gets well soon.
“What has happened; we had received contact stating there has been an increase in a general illness of stomach bugs within families along with Public Health reporting that Norovirus is at a ten-year high (up by 15 per cent from last year).
“We believe we may have encouraged the spread of infection by the amount of people on the farm. We contacted environmental health at 8.15 am on Monday 8th to inform them we suspected we might be spreading some infection.
“We have received confirmation this morning from environmental health that a diagnosis has been made for cryptosporidium. We have requested an urgent visit by environmental health to assess the farm and establish a root cause.”
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People posted comments on the Facebook post with Beckie Foster saying she had ended up in hospital. She said: “I’ve been so poorly for over a week, resulting in severe dehydration and hospital. We love Gannow Farm and came twice last year with no issues. But we were unlucky this year despite hand washing and getting changed. Thank you so much for posting this so people are aware and can get the right medication.”
Helen Adams said: “Both my two children started feeling poorly Saturday evening with sickness and diarrhoea that was five days after our visit.. thanks for posting to share awareness.. It cant be helped. If you want that interaction then its a risk thats taken.. these are farm animals after all.”
While Jennifer Miller said: “So this is why I have been so ill since the 30th! I actually mentioned being at the farm to 111 because I just had this feeling it was from there!! I have been so so ill! It has been awful! I have spoken to 111 twice and my GP 3 times I have been that concerned about how I was! Never again will I set foot in a place like this!”
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The venue bills itself as ‘a great family day out getting up close and personal with our friendly cuddly farm animals’. The UKHSA says: “Cryptosporidiosis is a disease usually caused by the parasites Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum. It is most commonly seen in children aged between one and five. People with weak immune systems are likely to be more seriously affected. The most common symptom is mild to severe watery diarrhoea.
“The parasites are resistant to chlorine. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking or swimming in contaminated water and contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farms.
“Symptoms include profuse watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, low-grade fever and loss of appetite which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. Symptoms usually last for about two weeks but can be longer, especially in people with weak immune systems. During the illness, you might think you are getting better and have shaken off the infection but then it returns a couple of days later before you fully recover.
“As symptoms are similar to many other tummy bugs, the only way to know you have cryptosporidium is for a doctor to ask for a sample of your faeces to be tested in a laboratory.”
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The advice to those who think they have it is to stay off school and work and to drink plenty of fluids as there’s a risk of dehydration. And to be very clean around the home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. Those affected should:
- wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest possible cycle of the washing machine;
- make sure that everyone has their own towel and that they do not use anybody else’s;
- clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and wash hand basins after use with detergent and hot water, followed by a household disinfectant;
- not go swimming or take your child swimming while suffering from diarrhoea and for 2 weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped;]
- not prepare food for others until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours
The UKHSA added: “You can pass cryptosporidium in your faeces for several weeks even if you no longer have symptoms.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
