Health experts issue urgent warning to families over petting farm visits after stricken children are hospitalised with parasite bug

Children have fallen seriously ill with a parasite bug after visiting petting farms with one 11-year-old girl hospitalised for four days. 

Health experts have issued an urgent warning to families over the risk of cryptosporidium- a bug that was also recently detected in the water supply in Devon. 

Amy Chappell, from Banbury, Oxfordshire said her daughter Poppy fell seriously ill and spent four days in hospital following a day out to a farm during lambing season. 

Poppy – who has still not completely recovered – picked up the cryptosporidium bug which can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Ms Chappell said: ‘She [Poppy] was constantly being sick every few minutes and this went on for days. 

‘After seeing the out of hours GP I took her to A&E and she was admitted straight away and put on a drip as she’d lost so much fluid and was given anti-sickness drugs regularly. 

‘She was so drained and withdrawn she couldn’t even get out of bed for the toilet, it was really worrying for all of us.’

The bug can be picked up from petting farms during lambing season 

Poppy’s mother added: ‘It has really affected her psychologically. 

‘She was sick so much that she is now really anxious about eating as she thinks it will make her sick and she has problems with her digestive system.

‘This has had a huge impact on the whole family, we had no idea how serious this bug could be. 

‘We made sure we washed our hands after touching the animals and before we ate, and Poppy even wore gloves, but must have picked it up after that.’

The scare comes after cryptosporidium was detected in the water supply in Devon earlier this month with at least 57 people falling ill with the bug.

South West Water (SWW) urged people to boil their tap water after hundreds were struck down with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains linked to cryptosporidium, a parasitic bug that causes severe stomach issues.

People who contracted the bug told MailOnline that it was the ‘worst illness’ that they have ever had. 

Now experts from the UK Health Security Agency have warned families planning on visiting petting farms this weekend about the potential risk of infections. 

Charlotte Flynn, a consultant in health protection with UKHSA South East, said: ‘Visiting a farm is a really fun day out which is an enjoyable and educational experience for many people, particularly children. 

The scare comes after cryptosporidium was detected in the water supply in Devon earlier this month with at least 57 people falling ill with the bug

Cryptosporidium can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals

South West Water unloading crates of bottled water to distribute to locals in south Devon earlier this month

Locals queueing in a car park in South Devon to pick up bottled water during the outbreak of cryptosporidium earlier this month

 ‘However, it carries a small risk of catching infections from animals or the environment. 

‘Farm animals can be the source of several bugs that can be passed from animals to humans and cause illness. 

‘Some can be particularly serious for children or pregnant women. 

‘Sadly, this year we have already seen a significant number of cases linked to farm visits right across the country, including in some instances, children being hospitalised.’ 

It comes after more than 80 people, including children, also fell ill after visiting Gannow Farm, in Worcestershire, over the Easter holidays.

The group were left with severe gastric illnesses and some were hospitalised with sickness and diarrhoea. 

Last month, it emerged that 20 visitors had contacted public health lawyers asking them to investigate their case following their ordeals.

Sophie Enright, 14, from Hollywood, Birmingham visited the farm with her mum Emma Cleverley, 38, on April 3 and became ill with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting by April 9.

As Sophie’s condition deteriorated, Emma called a GP on April 11 who said she was fourth person he’d seen that day with the same symptoms after visiting the farm.

Sophie was prescribed anti-sickness medication to ease her stomach cramps but four days later her symptoms had not improved.

She was given a stronger dose of medication, plus nutrient shakes and co-codamol and was diagnosed with cryptosporidium following tests.

Sophie’s mother said: ‘Even now I can’t believe what has happened to Sophie since the farm visit back in April.

‘She’s like another girl after what has been a frightening and uncertain experience.

‘Having visited the doctors, she just never seemed to improve and as the weight fell off her, we became really concerned.

‘We thought it was just a bug that would clear up but when they said it was cryptosporidium, terrible thoughts go through your mind.

‘Sophie still isn’t well and she was devastated to have missed school in the run up to her mock exams and as suffered with her mental health as a result.

‘Our focus has been on seeing Sophie make a full recovery but given all of the people who’ve been so ill, I think there are questions to answer.’

Mother Michelle Powell, 41 from Redditch, Worcestershire, said her daughter Georgia was also struck down with severe sickness and diarrhoea around a week after visiting the farm. 

Ms Powell said: ‘Easter Monday was meant to be a fun day out for Georgia to see the farm animals. I never dreamed it could turn into such a nightmare.

Sophie Enright, 14, (pictured) visited the farm with her mum Emma Cleverley, 38, on April 3 and became ill with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting by April 9

Sophie was prescribed anti-sickness medication and medication to ease her stomach cramps but four days later her symptoms had not improved

Georgia Powell, 4, who fell ill after a visit on Easter Monday and was unable to return to nursery

‘To see your four-year old so sick was just devastating.

‘You feel like there’s nothing you can do and as time goes on with no improvement, you begin to be really concerned.

‘Looking back, I did have some concerns when we arrived at the farm.

‘It was obviously busy that day and I thought at the time there were too many people for each slot with the animals and not a lot of supervision.

‘The lambs looked lethargic and unwell compared to previous visits and their faeces were everywhere, including the bails of hay set out for sitting on.

‘Right now, our focus in seeing Georgia make a full recovery but we feel we really deserve some answers concerning what happened.

‘There were so many in those pens that day, that I’m not surprised to hear we’re not alone in having fallen sick.’

Jatinder Paul, head of the specialist public health team at Irwin Mitchell, who is supporting the families, said: ‘Since being initially approached by 20 people who had fallen seriously ill following visits to Gannow Farm, it’s deeply concerning that over 80 people have now come forward, all with similar stories to tell of being diagnosed with cryptosporidium following their visit.

‘Cryptosporidium is known to cause gastrointestinal illness and can be a serious condition for many vulnerable groups, including children and older people.

‘A type of microscopic parasite, cryptosporidium can cause illness in both humans and animals alike.

‘It’s vital that people take the proper precautions to protect themselves and their families from the risk of infection.

‘While welcome that the UK Health Security Agency is investigating, we’re committed to supporting our clients through what has been a terrible ordeal and securing for them the answers they deserve.

‘If during the case of our investigations any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve public safety.’

In a Facebook post, the farm said: ‘We at Gannow Farm take the welfare of our visitors very seriously and for that reason we have decided to close for the remainder of the 2024 Farm Experience.

‘This is a decision taken by the team and not by governing bodies however we are working closely with them as always.

‘We would like to wish anyone that is poorly a speedy recovery.’

MailOnline has contacted Irwin Mitchell for further comment.