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E.coli alert closes fourth farm E.coli alert closes fourth farm
(about 2 hours later)
A farm attraction in Devon has been closed as health experts investigate links to three young children who have been infected with E.coli. A Devon farm attraction has been partially closed as health experts investigate links to three children who have been infected with E.coli.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the World of Country Life in Exmouth closed voluntarily as a precaution.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the World of Country Life in Exmouth closed voluntarily as a precaution.
The farm has not been confirmed as the source but the HPA said three children who visited it while on holiday at the end of last month had been infected. The farm has not been confirmed as the source, but the HPA said three children who visited it while on holiday at the end of last month had been infected.
It is the fourth petting farm to shut in recent days over E.coli fears.It is the fourth petting farm to shut in recent days over E.coli fears.
The deer ride and the children's animal petting area have been closed while tests are carried out, but owner Nigel Lee said the rest of the attraction, including the museum and play areas remained open.
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.
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 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
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.
Dr Deidre Lewis, from the HPA, said that the agency heard about the first case on 25 August and that it was not until this week that it heard, through other agency channels, about the other two cases.Dr Deidre Lewis, from the HPA, said that the agency heard about the first case on 25 August and that it was not until this week that it heard, through other agency channels, about the other two cases.
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."
HPA apologyHPA 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.
Dr Deidre Lewis, from the HPA, says the closure is a precautionary measureDr Deidre Lewis, from the HPA, says the closure is a precautionary measure
Two-year-old twin boys, Todd and Aaron Furnell, were among those admitted to hospital.Two-year-old twin boys, Todd and Aaron Furnell, were among those admitted to hospital.
The youngsters, from Kent, suffered acute kidney failure following the E.coli outbreak at Godstone Farm, which was closed on Saturday.The youngsters, from Kent, suffered acute kidney failure following the E.coli outbreak at Godstone Farm, which was closed on Saturday.
The HPA said the first case came to light on 27 August but it later emerged that the agency had received a report of two cases in the previous week.The HPA said the first case came to light on 27 August but it later emerged that the agency had received a report of two cases in the previous week.
According to Professor Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, an "increased awareness" by health professionals could be behind the rise in cases.According to Professor Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, an "increased awareness" by health professionals could be behind the rise in cases.
He said: "Increased awareness by GPs, in particular sending in samples for testing, may be part of the reason why we're seeing an increased number of cases right now."He said: "Increased awareness by GPs, in particular sending in samples for testing, may be part of the reason why we're seeing an increased number of cases right now."
Asked what the sources of the outbreak could be, he replied: "The source is the animals on the farm, that's where the organism has its natural home."Asked what the sources of the outbreak could be, he replied: "The source is the animals on the farm, that's where the organism has its natural home."
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