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Officials knew of E.coli outbreak Farm defends response to E.coli
(29 minutes later)
Health officials knew about an E.coli outbreak among people who visited a farm in Surrey days before it was closed to the public, it has emerged. The managers of a children's farm in Surrey linked to a string of E.coli cases have defended their response to the outbreak.
Twelve children are in hospital - four seriously ill - after contracting the bug at Godstone Farm near Redhill.Twelve children are in hospital - four seriously ill - after contracting the bug at Godstone Farm near Redhill.
The Health Protection Authority became aware of the outbreak in late August after cases were traced to the farm. The farm has been closed while the Health Protection Agency carries out an investigation.
The farm's managers defended their response to the outbreak and said they were working with the investigators. Farm manager Richard Oatway said the farm had acted responsibly and was co-operating with the investigation.
The farm, which is a popular destination for families, was closed when a pattern was established as the number of infected children rose. He said: "All the staff at the farm are very upset about the E.coli outbreak and we hope that all the children make a full and speedy recovery."
All the sick children are aged under 10. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says 36 cases have been reported so far. Safety 'priority'
'Very upset' He added: "We have taken the decision to close the farm until the authorities have finished their investigations.
In response to the closure, Richard Oatway, the farm's manager, said: "All the staff at the farm are very upset about the E.coli outbreak and we hope all the children make a full and speedy recovery."
He added: "We have taken the decision to close the farm while the authorities complete their investigations.
"Our main priority has always been to make sure the farm has been safe for everyone coming here to visit."Our main priority has always been to make sure the farm has been safe for everyone coming here to visit.
"We have co-operated fully with all the authorities from the very beginning and will of course continue to do so.""We have co-operated fully with all the authorities from the very beginning and will of course continue to do so."
E.COLI Bacterium is found in the intestines of animals and humans950 recorded cases in England and Wales last year20 people died in the worst recorded UK outbreak, linked to a church lunch in Strathclyde 13 years ago It has emerged health officials knew about the outbreak among people who visited the farm days before it was closed to the public.
The Health Protection Agency became aware of the outbreak in late August after cases were traced to the farm.
The farm, which is a popular destination for families, was closed when a pattern was established as the number of infected children rose.
E.coli Bacterium is found in the intestines of animals and humans950 recorded cases in England and Wales last year20 people died in the worst recorded UK outbreak, linked to a church lunch in Strathclyde 13 years ago
All the sick children are aged under 10. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says 36 cases have been reported so far.
The outbreak is believed to have started on 8 August. The bacteria causes diarrhoea and can lead to kidney failure, especially in young children. It is fatal in very rare cases.The outbreak is believed to have started on 8 August. The bacteria causes diarrhoea and can lead to kidney failure, especially in young children. It is fatal in very rare cases.
The HPA is investigating the outbreak and spokesman Dr Graham Bickler says it is one of the largest seen in the UK. HPA spokesman Dr Graham Bickler said it was one of the largest outbreaks seen in the UK.
He said: "The farm is shut so we're confident there's no more transmission going on at the farm."He said: "The farm is shut so we're confident there's no more transmission going on at the farm."
He added it would take "a few weeks" to find the source of the infection.He added it would take "a few weeks" to find the source of the infection.
"The actions over the next few weeks will be to investigate it by talking to people who've been ill or their parents to find out what they've been doing, by taking samples from them and from the environment."The actions over the next few weeks will be to investigate it by talking to people who've been ill or their parents to find out what they've been doing, by taking samples from them and from the environment.
"So it will take a few weeks till we fully understand it and we don't know at the moment." 'Serious infection'
"So it will take a few weeks until we fully understand it and we don't know at the moment."
The director of the Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit, Dr Angela Iversen, said the farm would remain closed for the time being.The director of the Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit, Dr Angela Iversen, said the farm would remain closed for the time being.
'Very large outbreak' Professor Hugh Pennington, who has led inquiries into E.coli outbreaks in central Scotland and south Wales, described the latest one as a "very large" outbreak.
She said: "The farm owners are co-operating fully and we are working closely with them to investigate the source. He said: "Most people get better without any particular treatment. But unfortunately some people, some kids, do lose their kidneys permanently so this is a very, very serious infection."
"Our advice is that the farm should remain closed to visitors while this work goes on."
Professor Hugh Pennington has led inquiries into E.coli outbreaks in central Scotland and south Wales. He described the latest one as a "very large" outbreak.
He said: "This is more likely to be an environmental source and we've seen outbreaks on farms of this kind where there are lots of young kids visiting, perhaps patting the animals or maybe just touching surfaces where there's manure."
"But this is a very large outbreak for that kind of setting," he said.
"Most people get better without any particular treatment. But unfortunately some people, some kids, do lose their kidneys permanently so this is a very, very serious infection."
Have you been affected by this E.coli outbreak? Do you know someone who has recently contracted E.coli? Tell us your experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by this E.coli outbreak? Do you know someone who has recently contracted E.coli? Tell us your experiences using the form below.
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