Family farm closes as E-coli strikes families

Jun 18 2009 by Amy Salter, Ormskirk Advertiser

AN OPEN farm in West Lancashire has been temporarily closed after eight people, including three children, were struck down with E.coli.

One of the children affected is currently in hospital and is described as ‘poorly but stable’.

The other children and adults affected are recovering at home.

The eight people are from two families that both recently visited Windmill Animal Farm, on Red Cat Lane, in Burscough.

The farm is being considered as one possible source of the infection and the farmer is co-operating fully with the investigations.

The farmer has voluntarily agreed to close the farm to visitors while improvements are made to the facilities.

Dr. Ken Lamden, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the HPA’s Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit, said: “We are working closely with colleagues from West Lancashire Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in this investigation. One common thread is that the adults and children with confirmed symptoms had visited a farm in West Lancashire and some of the environmental samples taken from the farm have also tested positive for E.coli 0157. We have identified areas for improvement on the farm and the farmer has agreed to close the premises to the public until these can be carried out.”

Dr. Lamden said that visits to even the best regulated farms can carry an infection risk.

He added: “Most animals, including family pets, can carry a range of infections including E.coli, cryptosporidium, campylobacter and salmonella. There is an onus on farmers to provide adequate washing facilities for visitors and for parents, guardians and teachers to ensure that children wash their hands thoroughly after touching animals or farm machinery. It’s especially important for people to wash their hands really well before eating or putting their fingers close to their mouths if they have been on a farm or in contact with animals.”