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E.coli cases close another farm E.coli cases close another farm
(7 minutes later)
A children's petting farm in North Yorkshire has closed after three cases of E.coli O157 were confirmed in youngsters who visited the site.A children's petting farm in North Yorkshire has closed after three cases of E.coli O157 were confirmed in youngsters who visited the site.
Part of the Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm in Bedale has closed voluntarily, the Health Protection Agency said.Part of the Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm in Bedale has closed voluntarily, the Health Protection Agency said.
A full epidemiological investigation is being carried out to ascertain whether the farm was the source of infection.A full epidemiological investigation is being carried out to ascertain whether the farm was the source of infection.
The HPA said another five cases of E.coli reported in July and August have since been confirmed as farm visitors.The HPA said another five cases of E.coli reported in July and August have since been confirmed as farm visitors.
In total seven children and one adult who visited the farm have been affected.In total seven children and one adult who visited the farm have been affected.
A play barn on the site, which is separate from the animal areas, remains open.A play barn on the site, which is separate from the animal areas, remains open.
'Alarming and distressing''Alarming and distressing'
Farm owner Carol Clark said she believed some recently-bought calves could be the source of the infection.Farm owner Carol Clark said she believed some recently-bought calves could be the source of the infection.
"We have been open for 20 years now and have not had an E.coli incident so it's alarming and distressing that we've had it now," she said."We have been open for 20 years now and have not had an E.coli incident so it's alarming and distressing that we've had it now," she said.
She said the farm had always followed "very thorough" hygiene procedures and had introduced new measures to ensure there was no cross-infection from the farm to the play barn.She said the farm had always followed "very thorough" hygiene procedures and had introduced new measures to ensure there was no cross-infection from the farm to the play barn.
"I don't think we have done anything wrong, I think we've just got to tighten things up slightly."I don't think we have done anything wrong, I think we've just got to tighten things up slightly.
"I am confident we can deal with this and that it won't happen again.""I am confident we can deal with this and that it won't happen again."
Investigation startsInvestigation starts
Dr Stephen Morton, the HPA's Yorkshire and the Humber regional director, said: "Where there are different strains of E.coli involved, as there are in this case, there is uncertainty about whether there is a shared source of infection.Dr Stephen Morton, the HPA's Yorkshire and the Humber regional director, said: "Where there are different strains of E.coli involved, as there are in this case, there is uncertainty about whether there is a shared source of infection.
"Tests are ongoing to ascertain the strains concerned in the latest three cases."Tests are ongoing to ascertain the strains concerned in the latest three cases.
"The HPA has advised that all tours of the farm and contact with the animals or animal areas is closed on a precautionary basis to protect public health while the investigation continues.""The HPA has advised that all tours of the farm and contact with the animals or animal areas is closed on a precautionary basis to protect public health while the investigation continues."
All the cases, including the three confirmed this week, are either well or recovering and all are at home, the HPA said.All the cases, including the three confirmed this week, are either well or recovering and all are at home, the HPA said.
The latest closure means five farms across England have now closed since the initial outbreak at Godstone Farm in Surrey.The latest closure means five farms across England have now closed since the initial outbreak at Godstone Farm in Surrey.
The others are Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, White Post Farm in Nottinghamshire and the World of Country Life in Exmouth, Devon.The others are Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, White Post Farm in Nottinghamshire and the World of Country Life in Exmouth, Devon.
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A children's petting farm in North Yorkshire has closed after three cases of E.coli O157 were confirmed in youngsters who visited the site.A children's petting farm in North Yorkshire has closed after three cases of E.coli O157 were confirmed in youngsters who visited the site.