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E.coli alert closes fourth farm E.coli alert closes fourth farm
(10 minutes later)
A farm attraction in Devon has been closed as health experts investigate links to three people who have been infected with E.coli.A farm attraction in Devon has been closed as health experts investigate links to three people who have been infected with E.coli.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the World of Country Life in Exmouth was shut as a precautionary measure.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the World of Country Life in Exmouth was shut as a precautionary measure.
There has been no confirmation that the farm is the source of infection in the three cases.There has been no confirmation that the farm is the source of infection in the three cases.
The farm closed voluntarily. It is the fourth in England to shut in recent days over E.coli fears.The farm closed voluntarily. It is the fourth in England to shut in recent days over E.coli fears.
Forty-nine cases of E.coli have been linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey.Forty-nine cases of E.coli have been linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey.
Its sister farm, Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, has also shut amid hygiene concerns.Its sister farm, Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, has also shut amid hygiene concerns.
The farm has closed voluntarily and the local authority, HPA and partners are conducting a full investigation Health Protection Agency statementThe farm has closed voluntarily and the local authority, HPA and partners are conducting a full investigation Health Protection Agency statement
Four people became infected after visiting White Post Farm at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, though no direct link has been made.Four people became infected after visiting White Post Farm at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, though no direct link has been made.
The World of Country Life describes itself as an amusement park with an animal farm.The World of Country Life describes itself as an amusement park with an animal farm.
As well as lamb and calf-feeding opportunities for visitors, the attraction also has a safari deer train.As well as lamb and calf-feeding opportunities for visitors, the attraction also has a safari deer train.
In a statement, the HPA said: "East Devon District Council and the Health Protection Agency this afternoon advised the precautionary closure of the World of Country Life farm, Exmouth, acting on information that potentially linked the farm with three individuals with confirmed E.coli O157 infection.In a statement, the HPA said: "East Devon District Council and the Health Protection Agency this afternoon advised the precautionary closure of the World of Country Life farm, Exmouth, acting on information that potentially linked the farm with three individuals with confirmed E.coli O157 infection.
"The farm has closed voluntarily and the local authority, HPA and partners are conducting a full investigation.""The farm has closed voluntarily and the local authority, HPA and partners are conducting a full investigation."
Godstone Farm in Surrey has been linked to 49 cases of E.coli HPA apology
The agency said there are many potential sources of E.coli and only about 1 in 50 of all cases are associated with outbreaks linked to petting farms.The agency said there are many potential sources of E.coli and only about 1 in 50 of all cases are associated with outbreaks linked to petting farms.
Earlier in the week, the HPA apologised for delays in its handling of the outbreak at Godstone Farm and announced that an external investigation would be carried out.Earlier in the week, the HPA apologised for delays in its handling of the outbreak at Godstone Farm and announced that an external investigation would be carried out.
Justin McCracken, the agency's chief executive, also phoned parents of the children most seriously affected to apologise.Justin McCracken, the agency's chief executive, also phoned parents of the children most seriously affected to apologise.
"I wanted to speak personally to the parents of those children who are most seriously ill in hospital to explain what has happened and, however inadequate under the circumstances, to apologise," he said. Godstone Farm in Surrey has been linked to 49 cases of E.coli
"I wanted to speak personally to the parents of those children who are most seriously ill in hospital to explain what has happened and, however inadequate under the circumstances, to apologise," he said on Wednesday.
"The position they find themselves in is unbearable and it is of course worse that what has happened might have been avoidable.""The position they find themselves in is unbearable and it is of course worse that what has happened might have been avoidable."
Godstone Farm was closed on Saturday although the HPA said the first case came to light on 27 August.
However, it later emerged that the agency had received a report of two cases in the previous week.
Mr McCracken said that the investigation would look into factors that contributed to the outbreak and how health protection officials handled it.
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