Urgent warning for parents after deadly E.coli outbreak shuts popular farm park
A popular family adventure farm has been shut for five days due to an outbreak of the infection E.coli.
Three people have contracted the infection having recently visited Hobbledown, an attraction near Epsom, Surrey, so it has had to close at the start of the school holidays.
Specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and environmental health officers from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council are examining the cases of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) and are testing at the site. The attraction has been shut since Thursday with no indication as to when it will reopen, despite it being typically the busiest time in its calendar.
Nick De Candole, owner of the farm park, wrote on its website: "Hobbledown Epsom as a voluntary precautionary measure is currently closed. We have been notified of three cases of E. coli infection in individuals who visited Hobbledown recently.
"As a result, we are in close contact with Epsom and Ewell District Council Environmental Health team and also the UK Health Security Agency. Hobbledown will be closed while tests are being carried out at the site by the health authorities. We are hoping to reopen as soon as possible and will provide an update in due course." The venue, where children can visit a wide collection of animals including meerkats and llamas, has contacted everyone who has visited since July 12 to alert them to the symptoms.
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Mr De Candole added: "I can assure everyone that the well-being of visitors to Hobbledown is our absolute priority and we do everything in our power to keep guests safe. Anyone with tickets for today has been informed of the closure and will be offered a number of options to re-arrange or receive a full refund within five working days, plus 50 per cent off their next visit. We are contacting people who have booked with us directly to update them on the situation."
Trish Mannes, regional deputy director for UKHSA South East, told WalesOnline: "We are investigating potential sources of these infections and precautionary public health measures are being put in place to help prevent further cases. STEC can cause illness ranging from mild to bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. In a small number of people, it can lead to more serious outcomes.
"Whilst STEC is very infectious, the most effective way to prevent the spread of the illness is by following good hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly, particularly after using the toilet, handling raw meat, before meals and after contact with animals."
NHS says symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms 3 to 4 days after they have been infected.
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