**Health Authorities Reassure Public As Children Recover From Illness At Llangollen International Eisteddfod**
Public Health Wales has sought to allay concerns after several children fell ill during the annual Llangollen International Eisteddfod, a renowned cultural event drawing thousands of visitors from across the globe. The festival, held at the picturesque Llangollen Pavilion, experienced an unexpected interruption when a number of attendees began displaying flu-like symptoms, prompting swift action from organisers and medical teams.
The incident came to light on Wednesday, with reports of multiple individuals, including children, displaying signs of respiratory illness. The scale of the situation led the Welsh Ambulance Service to declare what officials described as an “extraordinary medical incident”. This unusual step was taken due to the sudden surge in patients presenting with very similar symptoms at the same time. Organisers responded by cancelling scheduled events for the remainder of the day as a precaution, citing their ongoing commitment to the health and safety of all participants and spectators.
In the immediate aftermath, affected children were transported to hospital for medical evaluation. Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection at Public Health Wales, offered reassuring news on Thursday morning. “The visitors to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod who were assessed in hospital last night will be discharged this morning,” he confirmed. “Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu. They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the general public remains low.”
Further tests conducted on the ill children revealed no evidence of any dangerous or rare pathogens. Instead, medics identified typical viruses commonly circulating at this time of year, such as seasonal influenza. The children’s conditions were described as non-serious, and all are expected to make full recoveries. Public Health Wales issued its update to reassure ticketholders, participants, and the wider community that there was no significant threat posed by the outbreak, nor was there a need for ongoing concern.
Despite the disruption, festival organisers have confirmed that the event would go ahead as planned following the all-clear from health authorities. In an official statement, the Eisteddfod team reaffirmed their commitment to everyone’s welfare: “The Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes the safety of its audience, competitors, performers, and volunteers extremely seriously. Therefore, following advice, we were forced to cancel an event in this way for the first time in our history. However, we are pleased to report our site has been cleared to re-open tomorrow at 9am, as we continue to welcome the world to Wales.”
The International Eisteddfod has a storied legacy, annually attracting more than 50,000 visitors over its six-day run. The festival is famous for bringing together singers and dancers from dozens of countries, with over 20 competitions held each year. Past performers have included celebrated names such as Luciano Pavarotti, Julian Lloyd Webber, and Katherine Jenkins, attesting to the event’s prestige within the global arts community.
The outbreak’s handling has been widely praised, with organisers and emergency services responding swiftly. The Eisteddfod’s leadership extended their gratitude to medical staff, volunteers, and emergency responders who managed the situation effectively and efficiently. “We would like to thank our staff, medical team, and all volunteers for their quick and coordinated response this evening,” the organisers added.
Incidents involving public health concerns at large gatherings are not unheard of, particularly during colder months when respiratory viruses are more prevalent. However, clear communication and robust safety measures often enable such events to continue with minimal disruption, preserving their cultural and economic importance.
As the Eisteddfod resumes, both visitors and participants are being urged to remain vigilant with hygiene and to report any symptoms to medical personnel on site. Health officials continue to monitor the situation but reiterate that current risk to the wider public remains minimal.
This episode serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by organisers of major public events and the importance of rapid, clear communication in the face of medical incidents. Attendees, both local and international, can once again look forward to the rich programme of music, dance, and camaraderie that the Llangollen International Eisteddfod is celebrated for.