May 27th 2024.
Sophie Enright, a 14-year-old girl from Birmingham, is one of many visitors who are still feeling unwell after visiting a petting zoo nearly two months ago. The farm, Gannow Farm in Worcestershire, is now facing numerous lawsuits as it has been reported that visitors were infected with animal parasites while touching the animals.
It was not just parents who were affected, but also young children as young as one year old. They all experienced symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps after their trip to the farm. The farm offers the opportunity to pet and cuddle lambs and calves, but it is unclear which animals were carrying the parasite.
The main culprit is believed to be cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that usually does not cause severe illness but can lead to long-term illness in children. Some of the young visitors had to be hospitalized and, although they have been discharged, some are still not fully recovered. Sophie, for example, is worried that her exam results will suffer as she has not fully recovered yet. Her mother, Emma, shared, "She's like another girl after what has been a frightening and uncertain experience."
Sienna-Mai Southern, a 9-year-old girl, was still feeling sick three weeks after her visit to the farm. Her mother, Danielle, said, "When the girls fell ill, it was a huge concern and we're all continuing to live with the effects weeks later." Sienna-Mai's younger sister, Darcie, also became unwell after the visit. Danielle added, "Darcie now feels well in herself but it was obvious Sienna-Mai was badly affected. I knew she wasn't well but it was such a shock to have to go to the hospital. Even now, Sienna-Mai isn't her usual self."
The effects of the illness have not only been physical but also mental. Sophie's mother shared that her daughter's mental health has suffered as a result of missing school and being unwell during the crucial time of her mock exams. Another young visitor, 5-year-old Isaac Fryer, also fell sick after his visit in late March. His mother, Emma, said, "We thought it was just a bug that would clear up, but when they said it was cryptosporidium, terrible thoughts went through our minds."
Many families, like Sophie's and Sienna-Mai's, are still looking for answers and seeking justice for the harm caused to their loved ones. The farm has been closed to visitors since early April, when the cases came to light. The UK Health Security Agency and Wychavon District Council are currently investigating the situation.
In a statement, Gannow Farm shared, "This is a decision taken by the team and not by governing bodies, however, we are working closely with them as always. We would like to wish anyone that is poorly a speedy recovery." However, more than 80 people have already contacted lawyers to investigate their cases, and the number is increasing. Jatinder Paul of Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing the affected families, expressed his concern, "Since being initially approached by 20 people who had fallen seriously ill following visits to Gannow Farm, it's deeply concerning that over 80 people have now come forward, all with similar stories to tell of being diagnosed with cryptosporidium following their visit."
Cryptosporidium is known to cause gastrointestinal illness and can be a serious condition for vulnerable groups such as children and older people. It is a microscopic parasite that can affect both humans and animals. Paul emphasized the importance of taking proper precautions to protect oneself and their families from the risk of infection. He also added that if any issues are identified during their investigations, it is crucial to learn from them and improve public safety.
The affected families are determined to seek justice for their loved ones and hold the farm accountable for their negligence. They hope that through their case, they can prevent others from going through the same ordeal. As Emma, one of the mothers, said, "Our focus has been on seeing Sophie make a full recovery, but given all of the people who've been so ill, I think there are questions to answer."
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