**Young Girl Struck by Parasite After Visiting Popular Welsh Farm**
A family trip meant to delight ended in distress as Lee Dobbinson’s eight-year-old daughter, Alba, became seriously ill just days after a visit to Cowbridge Farm Shop, a well-loved local attraction in the Vale of Glamorgan. The farm, known for its interactive lamb and calf-feeding experiences, is at the centre of a public health investigation after an outbreak of cryptosporidium, a parasite linked to gastrointestinal illness.
The incident took place on 17 April, when Mr Dobbinson, aged 42, enjoyed a routine outing with his daughter to the farm. Although they took all recommended hygiene precautions, including diligent hand-washing, disinfecting, and using shoe covers, Alba began showing concerning symptoms just five days later. According to her father, the signs of sickness were dramatic and swift. “You go to see livestock with a common sense of risk but this time she was crouching over with stomach cramps and we knew something wasn’t right. Within an hour she had diarrhoea and was throwing up,” he recalled.
Alba, who has now been unwell for over a week, has not been able to return to school since falling ill on 22 April, causing her to miss both the end of her Easter holidays and the first week of the new term. While the family are coping with the situation as best they can, concerns remain about transmission, as cryptosporidium is particularly contagious.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has confirmed that Alba’s case is not isolated. At least 28 people have been infected following visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop, with the number potentially rising. The health body is conducting a thorough investigation, looking closely at how the parasite—spread via contact with the faeces of infected animals—might be affecting visitors despite strict hygiene protocols.
The symptoms of cryptosporidium are profound and can be distressing, particularly in children and those with weaker immune systems. According to experts, the illness typically emerges between two and ten days after exposure, often lasting up to two weeks. In Alba’s case, intermittent bouts of illness continue to prevent her from resuming her normal routine. “She’s still having random bouts of illness but is definitely not well enough to go back to school or anywhere because it is so contagious,” Mr Dobbinson said.
Adding to the family’s anxiety, they were forced to cancel plans for another farm visit the following weekend. “She loves animals and we have been to farms many times before. If we had gone, we could have cross-contaminated to another farm,” Mr Dobbinson explained, highlighting the broader concerns of how easily such parasites can spread within the community.
Responding to suggestions that poor hygiene may have played a role, Mr Dobbinson emphasised that their family had followed all the guidance provided by the farm. “People have said ‘You should have washed your hands’ but this parasite isn’t just stopped by water. The farm had proper facilities and disinfectant everywhere – we did everything we were supposed to do.”
Alba’s diagnosis has been confirmed by local doctors using laboratory stool samples, and while most cases resolve without hospitalisation, it is understood that some individuals affected by the current outbreak have required further medical intervention. The health authorities are urging anyone who developed gastrointestinal symptoms after visiting the farm’s petting sessions to contact their GP for appropriate care and testing.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that even with robust hygiene measures, risks from zoonotic infections remain. The experience has been distressing for Alba and her family, who urge others to stay vigilant and for affected venues to review their biosecurity protocols.
Public Health Wales continues to monitor the situation closely and is updating guidance as necessary. The Cowbridge Farm Shop, meanwhile, has suspended its animal petting activities while the investigation is ongoing. The community is advised to remain cautious and to seek medical advice if they notice any symptoms after visiting farm attractions.
As families seek out seasonal activities, it is clear that vigilance remains crucial, both in maintaining hygiene and in heeding public health advice. While most visits to local attractions pass without incident, isolated outbreaks can have significant impacts on individuals and the wider public.