A farm owner on the Isle of Wight has been fined £8,000 after 264 visitors, (many of them children), were infected with cryptosporidiosis following a bottle-feeding activity at Hazelgrove Farm in 2023. This is a significant number of visitors implying that major mistakes were made.
The individual in question ran sessions where visitors fed lambs and goat kids, meaning physical contact was clearly taking place. An HSE and UKHSA investigation found major failings, including poor hand-washing facilities, inadequate risk assessments, lack of safety information, and insufficient supervision. Children were seen kissing animals visibly contaminated with faeces.
An overview of the investigation concluded –
- Failure to assess the risk of workers and visitors
- Bad washing and drying facilities
- Insufficient information and instruction to employees and visitors
- Inadequate control and supervision of visitor contact with animals
Five per cent of victims required hospital care overnight, and many reported severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and ongoing health issues. In total, 1,254 days of work and school were lost due to illness or caring responsibilities. Beyond the young victims’ health, there will be significant learning catchup needed for the children which could affect their learning and exams.
Wheeler pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety law and was ordered to pay £9,528.35 in costs. HSE said the outbreak was preventable and stressed the need for proper controls at visitor attractions to manage zoonotic risks.
You can find further information on this story through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.
Conclusion
The outbreak at Hazelgrove Farm highlights the serious consequences of failing to manage zoonotic risks at visitor attractions, and the significant number of those impacted shows how essential proper hygiene facilities, risk assessments, and supervision are in preventing illness.
