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Farm petting guidance 'unchanged' Farm petting guidance 'unchanged'
(about 4 hours later)
Official guidance on whether children should have contact with animals at petting farms remains the same, despite a microbiologist's calls for a ban.Official guidance on whether children should have contact with animals at petting farms remains the same, despite a microbiologist's calls for a ban.
The Department of Health said touching was fine if good hand hygiene followed, but has ordered a review of guidelines.The Department of Health said touching was fine if good hand hygiene followed, but has ordered a review of guidelines.
Prof Hugh Pennington said under-fives should not handle animals because of the risk they might infect themselves.Prof Hugh Pennington said under-fives should not handle animals because of the risk they might infect themselves.
Two petting farms in Surrey, one in Nottinghamshire and one in Devon have shut attractions owing to E.coli fears.Two petting farms in Surrey, one in Nottinghamshire and one in Devon have shut attractions owing to E.coli fears.
Prof Pennington, who has led inquiries into E.coli outbreaks in Scotland and Wales, said parents should not stay away from petting farms.Prof Pennington, who has led inquiries into E.coli outbreaks in Scotland and Wales, said parents should not stay away from petting farms.
But he added: "I think parents ought to think very hard about whether they should let these kids, not abandon the idea of visiting, but certainly not [touch] animals.But he added: "I think parents ought to think very hard about whether they should let these kids, not abandon the idea of visiting, but certainly not [touch] animals.
It's so good for the children - one would hate to get to the stage where we had to stop them doing it Miranda StevensonBritish & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums Your views: Petting and hygieneIt's so good for the children - one would hate to get to the stage where we had to stop them doing it Miranda StevensonBritish & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums Your views: Petting and hygiene
Hand-washing was "absolutely crucial" to protect visitors to petting farms, and under-fives "haven't learned how to do it yet", he told the BBC.Hand-washing was "absolutely crucial" to protect visitors to petting farms, and under-fives "haven't learned how to do it yet", he told the BBC.
Young children were the most likely part of the population to get complications if they get infected, he added.Young children were the most likely part of the population to get complications if they get infected, he added.
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However the Department of Health said its advice remained the same: that children could pet animals as long as they practised good hand hygiene.However the Department of Health said its advice remained the same: that children could pet animals as long as they practised good hand hygiene.
"Direct contact is not what presents the risk, it's what happens afterwards. If you use good hand hygiene and other measures, you hopefully shouldn't get it," a spokesperson said."Direct contact is not what presents the risk, it's what happens afterwards. If you use good hand hygiene and other measures, you hopefully shouldn't get it," a spokesperson said.
"Ill health following a visit to an open farm is unusual, even among children, and these risks need to be balanced against the benefits for a child's education and development that arise from contact with animals.""Ill health following a visit to an open farm is unusual, even among children, and these risks need to be balanced against the benefits for a child's education and development that arise from contact with animals."
The spokesman added that current guidance was under review following the E.coli outbreaks last week.The spokesman added that current guidance was under review following the E.coli outbreaks last week.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that, while infection risks are reduced by sites being well regulated and run, there would always be some E.coli risk from farm animals and their environment.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that, while infection risks are reduced by sites being well regulated and run, there would always be some E.coli risk from farm animals and their environment.
Whether to stay away from such attractions is "a decision for parents based on a balance of risks", its advice says.Whether to stay away from such attractions is "a decision for parents based on a balance of risks", its advice says.
The HPA's advice, published on its website, also remains unchanged despite Prof Pennington's warning.The HPA's advice, published on its website, also remains unchanged despite Prof Pennington's warning.
Nail brushesNail brushes
But the mother of two young boys who suffered kidney failure following their visit to Godstone Farm in Surrey, said current guidelines were insufficient.But the mother of two young boys who suffered kidney failure following their visit to Godstone Farm in Surrey, said current guidelines were insufficient.
Tracy Mock said: "The guidelines were not clear enough before. We did the hand washing and we were careful about hygiene.Tracy Mock said: "The guidelines were not clear enough before. We did the hand washing and we were careful about hygiene.
"There was information which told you about E.coli but you didn't really know what it was. You didn't really know it was much more than a stomach ache and you didn't know how serious it was.""There was information which told you about E.coli but you didn't really know what it was. You didn't really know it was much more than a stomach ache and you didn't know how serious it was."
However Miranda Stevenson, director of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums, said facilities where children handled animals were strictly regulated and there were always either gels or washing facilities available.However Miranda Stevenson, director of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums, said facilities where children handled animals were strictly regulated and there were always either gels or washing facilities available.
"[Handling animals] is so good for the children - one would hate to get to the stage where we had to stop them doing it.""[Handling animals] is so good for the children - one would hate to get to the stage where we had to stop them doing it."
Forty-nine cases of E.coli have been linked to a Surrey farmForty-nine cases of E.coli have been linked to a Surrey farm
World of Country Life, in Exmouth, Devon, voluntarily closed its petting areas and deer train ride following infections in three children who visited the farm last month - although the farm has not been confirmed as the source.World of Country Life, in Exmouth, Devon, voluntarily closed its petting areas and deer train ride following infections in three children who visited the farm last month - although the farm has not been confirmed as the source.
Four people became infected after visiting White Post Farm at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, though no direct link has been confirmed there.Four people became infected after visiting White Post Farm at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, though no direct link has been confirmed there.
A total of 57 cases of E.coli have been linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey, with its sister farm - Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom - also closing because of hygiene concerns. A total of 57 cases of E.coli have now been linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey, with its sister farm - Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom - also closing because of hygiene concerns.
HAVE YOUR SAY To stop toddlers from being able to interact with animals is madness Jenny Davies, Poole Read your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY To stop toddlers from being able to interact with animals is madness Jenny Davies, Poole Read your comments
Nine children are being treated in hospital with Godstone Farm-linked infections; one is due to be allowed home later on Saturday, with the others remaining in a stable condition, according to the HPA.Nine children are being treated in hospital with Godstone Farm-linked infections; one is due to be allowed home later on Saturday, with the others remaining in a stable condition, according to the HPA.
Lab tests have identified the most serious E.coli strain, 0157, which can cause serious kidney damage in a small proportion of cases. Lab tests have identified the most serious E.coli strain, O157, which can cause serious kidney damage in a small proportion of cases.
There are about 20,000 cases of E.coli reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland every year but last year just 950 cases in England and Wales were the 0157 strain. There are about 20,000 cases of E.coli reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland every year but last year just 950 cases in England and Wales were the O157 strain.
Since Prof Pennington made his comments, hundreds of members of the public have e-mailed the BBC News website, with the majority expressing opposition to a ban on the petting of animals.Since Prof Pennington made his comments, hundreds of members of the public have e-mailed the BBC News website, with the majority expressing opposition to a ban on the petting of animals.
Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions