**Parasitic Infection Affects Over 80 at Popular Welsh Farm; 16 People Admitted to Hospital**
A concerning outbreak of a parasitic infection has resulted in at least 81 individuals falling ill after visiting a well-known Welsh farm attraction, with 16 requiring hospital care. Health authorities in Wales continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that the figures could rise further as more information comes to light. The investigation is centred on Cowbridge Farm Shop, situated at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Public Health Wales (PHW) is coordinating a multi-agency effort to determine the source and extent of the outbreak, which they have linked to the parasite *cryptosporidium*. Cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal illness and is often associated with direct contact with animals, particularly young livestock such as calves and lambs. Experts caution that the full scale of the outbreak may not be immediately apparent due to the incubation period of the infection, which ranges from two days to as long as ten.
Among those impacted is four-year-old Michael Carpenter, who developed acute stomach pain and severe diarrhoea just days after a visit to the farm with his grandmother last month. According to his father, Gareth Carpenter, the illness was more serious than anything his son had previously experienced, despite having weathered several other childhood infections in the past. “He’s had chicken pox and plenty of other bugs – but nothing has made him this unwell before,” said Mr Carpenter, reflecting the distress among affected families.
Public Health Wales has urged anyone who has visited the farm—especially if they took part in animal feeding activities—to be vigilant for symptoms. These typically include watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, mild fever, as well as loss of appetite or weight. Most cases resolve without need for medical treatment, but young children and those with underlying health issues are thought to be at greater risk of complications.
In response to the outbreak, Cowbridge Farm Shop ceased all public animal feeding events on 29 April and has been cooperating fully with investigators. Public Health Wales has publicly thanked the business for its proactive support during the investigation, which has already seen at least four meetings between health and regulatory agencies. Officials have underscored the importance of hand hygiene for visitors to open farms, reminding members of the public to always wash hands after animal contact and before preparing or eating food.
Beverley Griggs, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health Wales, reiterated that the parasite can spread from person to person—not just through contact with animals—therefore household members of anyone displaying symptoms are also advised to adhere to strict hygiene measures. “We advise anyone who visited the farm and is experiencing diarrhoea, stomach pain, or nausea to contact their GP or NHS 111 Wales,” Ms Griggs said. Individuals who have had contact with symptomatic people are also urged to seek advice, especially if they themselves become ill.
The outbreak has prompted renewed warnings about the risks of zoonotic infections—diseases transmitted between animals and humans—at agritourism sites across the region. Public health advisors emphasise that while such experiences can offer valuable educational opportunities for children and adults, they are not without risk if basic precautions are not observed.
Symptoms associated with cryptosporidium infection can last up to two weeks and may result in significant dehydration. Authorities stress that anyone who visited Cowbridge Farm Shop in March or April and is unwell, should inform healthcare providers that they visited the site, since this context may influence testing and treatment decisions.
This incident serves as a timely reminder of the importance of handwashing and personal hygiene, particularly after visiting environments where animals are present. While most recover swiftly, the potential for severe illness in vulnerable groups cannot be underestimated. Health officials continue to monitor new cases closely, with further updates anticipated as the investigation progresses.