Farm Day Visitors Urged to Beware of Cryptosporidium Threat

Visitors expected to participate in a nationwide Open Farm Day across the United Kingdom this weekend have been alerted to a parasitic disease that leads to severe stomach issues.

In 2024, there were 17 instances of cryptosporidiosis associated with farms in England and Wales. Additionally, an outbreak in South Wales earlier this year led to numerous individuals becoming sick.

Based on inspection reports from the last five years obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, several farms consistently disregarded recommendations made by health inspectors and permitted children to interact with ill animals in unsanitary enclosures.

The organisers of Open Farm Sunday, which sees 190,000 visitors, said its farms have high health and safety standards.

Cryptosporidium can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea and is spread through direct contact with animals or touching surfaces that have animal faeces on them. The young, pregnant women and those with health conditions which affect their immune system can be particularly vulnerable.

Public Health Wales said individual cases of cryptosporidiosis linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, this spring had now risen to 89 people .

In England, one of those affected after a farm visit was Emily Fryer's six-year-old son Isaac.

He was admitted to hospital after falling ill following a visit to Gannow Farm in Worcestershire last year.

Mrs. Fryer informed the doctor, "For approximately five days, he neither ate nor drank anything. He was mostly sleeping. His blood sugar levels dropped significantly, which led to his admission."

It was clear that I was very concerned at that time. Since he is autistic and cannot speak, we weren't sure how to assist him effectively.

Mrs Fryer said the family had taken hygiene seriously when they visited the farm and had washed their hands thoroughly using facilities provided on site.

A year earlier the farm had been issued with a prohibition notice by the Health and Safety Executive because it was failing to prevent or control the risk of exposure to cryptosporidium. Those issues were dealt with and the farm was licensed to show animals to the public in 2024.

Mrs Fryer expressed her disappointment that the farm had been permitted to welcome visitors again.

"I just think it's awful," she said.

The owners of the farm, which has now stopped its open days, declined to comment when approached by the but have previously said they had "made every precaution possible" to prevent an outbreak.

A number of farms throughout the UK have been compelled to expand their operations in recent years to enhance their earnings, turning to activities such as hosting public open days, establishing petting zones, and setting up play barns which now serve as significant financial resources.

However, inspection reports disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act by the United Kingdom’s National Cryptosporidiosis Reference Unit reveal that a few farms are failing to adhere to health and safety guidelines — and in some severe instances, they are disregarding warnings issued by regulators.

At a farm in Wales connected to multiple outbreak incidents, officials discovered diseased livestock being exhibited alongside inadequate handwashing stations, insufficient risk evaluations, and deficient employee education.

According to reports, the inspectors told the farm those failings were "consistent with those identified previously. This indicates you are failing to maintain the required improvements from one season to the next".

Another farm visited in 2023 had also failed to implement recommendations from a previous inspection, which led to another outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, while another farm, due to host a school visit a few days after inspection, was found to be failing.

The report stated that comparing this visit with last year revealed deteriorating conditions.

'Huge task'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that the 16 outbreaks reported in England during the previous year were a preliminary count, and an upcoming data analysis scheduled for release later this month might lead to an increase in that number.

Public Health Wales along with the UKHSA has alerted the anticipated 190,000 attendees planning to visit the 250 participating farms during Open Farm Sunday this weekend, urging them to ensure they take basic hygiene measures .

Jo Hatton, an educational consultant for the organizers of the open farm event LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), stated that every farmer involved received guidance and training on ensuring visitor safety.

She noted, 'We're assisting farmers in opening up their farms along with conducting risk assessments. Throughout the planning stage, we stay connected with farmers via telephone calls, guiding them so they can comprehend how to make sure visits run seamlessly and everybody leaves content and safe.'

One farm manager who says he is ensuring the highest health and safety standards for visitors on Sunday is Andy Bason, who will be welcoming around 2,000 visitors onto Newhouse Farm, Alresford, Hampshire.

He said LEAF's health and safety training had "really opened my eyes to what's needed to host this kind of event".

"Given the figures we're dealing with, this is an enormous undertaking. Our aim is for everybody to visit us, enjoy their time, and return home safely without catching any illnesses," he clarified.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) stated that the well-being and security of every farm visitor was considered "of utmost importance."

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