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E.coli alert closes fourth farm E.coli alert closes fourth farm
(about 6 hours later)
A Devon farm attraction has been partially closed as health experts investigate links to three children who have been infected with E.coli. The owner of a farm attraction with possible links to an E.coli incident, has claimed the risk of infection has been "blown out of proportion".
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the World of Country Life in Exmouth closed voluntarily as a precaution. The World of Country Life in Exmouth, Devon closed its petting farm and deer ride on Friday on the advice of the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
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. Three children who visited the farm while on holiday in Devon last month have the E.coli O157 infection.
It is the fourth petting farm to shut in recent days over E.coli fears. Nigel Lee said tests will be carried out on his animals on Monday.
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. The farm has not been confirmed as the source, but Mr Lee said he was happy to close the two areas "as a precaution" while the HPA investigate.
Under-five 'ban'
An HPA spokesperson said the three children are believed to be "recovering well" from the E.coli infection.
The World of Country Life is the fourth farm to close in recent days and an expert in microbiology is urging parents not to allow under-fives to touch animals at petting farms.
Professor Hugh Pennington, who has previously led inquiries into E.coli outbreaks in the UK, said not only were under-five the most likely to touch animals, but that age group was "the most difficult part of the population to get to wash their hands".
Mr Lee said, as a father himself, he would always advise that children's hands were cleaned after touching animals.
"There has been a risk for some time and people have known that, but I just think it's being blown out of all proportion in the last few weeks, which is a shame."
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.
The farm has closed voluntarily and the local authority, HPA and partners are conducting a full investigation Health Protection Agency statement
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 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.
The rest of the attraction, including the museum and play areas, have remained open, but Mr Lee said the partial closure could adversely affect his business.
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 it had advised the precautionary closure 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."
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.
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
Justin McCracken, the agency's chief executive, also phoned parents of the children most seriously affected to apologise.
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.
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."
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